The water from your tap
Tap water
In Germany, tap water is the most strictly controlled food. Even so, it is worth knowing what happens between the waterworks and your glass.
The basics
Can you drink tap water in Germany? Yes, with three exceptions
Tap water is the most strictly controlled food in Germany.
Hardness
Understanding water hardness: °dH, soft, medium, hard and what follows
Water hardness is the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.
Home plumbing
Old pipes: lead, copper, galvanised steel and what you can do
The waterworks delivers flawless water, but your house makes the difference.
Comparison
Tap water vs. mineral water: the honest comparison
Control, minerals, price, taste, environment: five rounds between tap and bottle, with a clear result and the two cases in which the bottle wins..
Boiling
When to boil water: boil-water notices, babies, travel, private wells
A boil-water notice from your supplier, infant formula, travel and your own well: in which cases boiling is necessary, how long the water has to boil and what boiling cannot do..
Self-check
Is my tap water all right?
Eight questions about your building, pipes and region, a traffic light and the next steps.