Legionella

Our drinking water – a commodity worth protecting

German drinking water is one of the most strictly monitored foodstuffs – and just as well!
Water is drunk and used for cooking, but also for showering and bathing. For this reason it’s important that tap water is free of harmful germs and bacteria.

Legionella are bacteria that occur naturally in the environment, and in particular in our groundwater. In temperatures between 25 and 55 degrees Celsius, and in pipe systems with stagnant water, Legionella are perfectly at home and multiply quickly.

 

 

What can I do as a tenant to avoid legionella in tap water?

• Make sure, by regularly using all of the taps in your home, that the water in the pipes keeps moving. Every tap should be used at least once a day.
• When on holiday ask someone you trust to turn the taps on at least once every three days and let the hot water run for a while.
• If you’re away from home longer – on holiday, for example – you should turn on the taps when you get back and run the hot water for several minutes with the windows open.