Over 350 water suppliers use RiskPlus to fulfil the TrinkwEGV delivery deadline
Clean water as an obligation: What the Drinking Water Ordinance in Germany does
Drinking water is taken for granted in Germany - clear, cool and available at all times. But behind this apparent normality lies a complex set of regulations that protects one of the most important foodstuffs of all: the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV). In order to achieve this goal, it defines binding quality requirements, responsibilities and processes along the entire water supply chain. It is the central legal basis for ensuring that water in this country is and remains safe for human health.
Clear requirements for the highest quality
The Drinking Water Ordinance specifies the requirements that drinking water must fulfil before it flows from the tap. These include limit values for chemical substances such as nitrate, heavy metals or PFAS as well as microbiological specifications that are intended to exclude pathogens. These are supplemented by so-called indicator parameters, such as taste, odour or turbidity, which also provide indications of possible impairments.
In addition, the ordinance regulates in detail how drinking water is to be monitored, what documentation and reporting obligations exist and what measures are to be taken if limit values are exceeded. It applies to all water that is used for drinking, cooking or producing food - regardless of whether it comes from a large waterworks, a spring or a self-supply.
From measurement to prevention
Today's Drinking Water Ordinance is largely based on the EU Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184, which brought about a fundamental paradigm shift in drinking water safety - away from pure reaction and towards precautionary action. Whereas in the past, the main focus was on monitoring and reacting in the event of a problem, the Drinking Water Ordinance now takes a risk-based approach along the entire supply chain.
The protection of drinking water does not begin at the waterworks, but in the catchment area, i.e. where the water is obtained. It continues through treatment and distribution right up to installation in the building. In the best case scenario, risks and contamination should not arise in the first place.
Responsibility on many shoulders
For water suppliers, the Drinking Water Ordinance means regular inspections, risk assessments of catchment areas, extensive documentation obligations and the implementation of measures in the event of anomalies. At the same time, the TrinkwV creates more predictability and transparency and promotes cooperation with local authorities, authorities and farmers.
Health and supervisory authorities take on a more coordinating role. They monitor compliance with the requirements, order measures where necessary and inform the public. The focus is increasingly on preventive risk management rather than pure control.
The responsibility does not end at the water meter. Building owners and operators also bear responsibility for domestic installations, for example for legionella tests in certain buildings or for rental and public use.
Security and trust for the population - RiskPlus supports the process
For consumers, the impact of the Drinking Water Ordinance is primarily reflected in a very high level of safety. The fact that drinking water flows so naturally from the tap in this country is above all the result of a well thought-out, consistently implemented set of regulations and continuous risk management.
Our RiskPlus software makes a valuable contribution to this by creating a complete risk management system from a single source - from the catchment area through to delivery to the consumer. Thanks to the continuous further development of RiskPlus, we are gradually expanding the range of functions while at the same time being able to react flexibly to current requirements.
If you would like to gain an insight into how RiskPlus works, you can do so in our free demo webinars. You can find the current dates here: To the RiskPlus demo webinars
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