01.12.2013

Strict maximum lead level for drinking water valid as of immediately

A new maximum level for lead in drinking water has been in effect in Germany since 1 December 2013.  According to this, 1 litre of drinking water must not contain more than 0.01 mg lead (10 µg/litre).

Lead is a haemotoxin that impairs the development of the nervous system. The maximum lead content was lowered step by step over the last years, and was last down to 0.025 mg/litres. The Act is directed at existing lead pipes in German homes that were built into in the drinking water plumbing system up until the 1970s. It will no longer be possible to keep to the new maximum level in pipe systems that use lead pipes. All lead pipes must therefore be exchanged as soon as possible.