Administrative services A-Z

An informal description of the abnormality you have detected in relation to the quality of drinking water is sufficient.

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: no (but preferably by e-mail)

Personal appearance required: no

Water utilities are responsible for ensuring that only clean drinking water is delivered to you as a consumer. The requirements for the quality of drinking water are regulated in the Drinking Water Ordinance. In order to ensure this quality, mandatory testing of drinking water by the entrepreneur and other owner of a water supply system is required. In addition, the health department monitors the water supply systems with regard to compliance with the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance. What can you do as a consumer if the water is discoloured, smells conspicuous, tastes or causes discomfort?

The first point of contact is the water supply company – they have to investigate the problem. However, if you have well-founded complaints, you can also contact the health department.

Note: The drinking water can also be contaminated by the drinking water installation. The quality of the drinking water installation and thus also its repair is the responsibility of the respective homeowner, homeowner or landlord (entrepreneur or other owner of the systems for permanent water distribution).

You suspect contamination in drinking water.

• from you as a consumer: none
• required by the water supply companies for consumers: appropriate information material on the quality of the drinking water supplied at least annually

none (the water supply company is obliged to cover the costs of drinking water tests)

You will be informed about the costs of a self-initiated examinationby approved testing bodies for drinking waterfrom the respective testing body.

• Approved testing bodies for drinking water

As a rule, you should report abnormalities in drinking water to your responsible water supply company (also possible: entrepreneurs or other owners of the systems for permanent water distribution (drinking water installation) or the locally responsible health authority):

• You can forward your information or suspicion of an impairment of the drinking water by e-mail, fax or telephone (preferably by e-mail).
• Your request will be processed.
• You will receive a response from the responsible body.
• If you arrange for an examination yourself, the question of costs still needs to be clarified with the investigating body.

none

respective water supply company

locally responsible health department of the district/city

• Responsible health authorities of the state of Brandenburg

• Ordinance on the Quality of Water for Human Consumption (Drinking Water Ordinance - TrinkwV) § 18 Treatment purposes
• Ordinance on the Quality of Water for Human Consumption (Drinking Water Ordinance - TrinkwV) § 21 Exceptions
• Council Directive 98/83/EC of 03.11.1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption

• Report of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Environment Agency to consumers on the quality of water intended for human consumption (drinking water) in Germany (2014 - 2016)

Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection