Lead in drinking water should be banned

Since 1 December, a new limit for lead in drinking water applies

17/12/2013

Guaranteed unleaded drinking water in sight: Since 1 December 2013, a new limit for lead in drinking water applies, according to which no more than 0.010 mg of lead per liter of water may be contained. Landlords and water suppliers are now required and must exchange charged pipes as quickly as possible.

In many regions, increased lead concentration in the water remains
In many regions of Germany there is still an increased concentration of lead in drinking water caused by lead water pipes used in the house or at the service connection. This situation is not a trivial fact, because lead is a nerve and blood poison and can quickly lead to health problems. Even taking small amounts over a long period of time may affect the development of the nervous system, affecting especially pregnant women, infants and toddlers. Despite the dangers, lead was used on the construction site until 1970, so that there are still lead lines in a large number of old houses in the north and east of the country.

New EU Drinking Water Ordinance came into force in 2003
Since 1 December, however, a new EU Drinking Water Ordinance of 2001 has been in effect, which came into force on 01.01.2003 and provided for a gradual reduction of the lead limit value. This now ends a ten-year transitional period and landlords or water suppliers must replace all pipes with increased values ​​against suitable drinking water hygienic materials. Thanks to the new regulation, no more than 0.010 mg of lead per liter of water may be contained in the future, but in most lead-pipes a higher value is to be found, according to the Federal Environmental Agency: „With the new limit, lead pipes are virtually unusable as drinking water pipes. If the lead limit in a line is exceeded, the health authority may oblige the water supplier or the landlord to eliminate the cause of the exceedance. In fact, a complete replacement of the lead tubes will usually be necessary“, Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA).

Water suppliers and landlords must inform affected tenants about lead concentration
The replacement of the pipes falls into different areas of responsibility: While the house connection lines are normally the responsibility of the water supplier and are therefore also replaced by this, the pipes of the drinking water installation are incumbent on the homeowner. If they do not act in the case of an affected line, they make themselves liable to prosecution - therefore, according to the Federal Environment Agency, in most cases the route will not be overhauled. Until then, water suppliers and landlords, according to the State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Thomas Ilka, but their information obligation to comply: „Water suppliers and landlords who have not completely replaced their lead tubes by 1 December 2013 must notify consumers in writing or by notice, regardless of lead concentration in drinking water.“

Lead pipes can be identified quickly
Whether the home is affected by lead pipes, can be quickly seen in most cases, because the dull gray pipes under the sink in the kitchen or in the basement of the water clock are relatively soft and can therefore be easily scored with a sharp object or scrape. Due to the flexibility of lead pipes were usually laid in curved lines - a clear signature, because other materials such as copper or galvanized steel are much harder and are therefore usually soldered at right angles. Also, the knock test can bring quick information, because in the case of lead, it sounds rather dull and not metallic.

Do not leave water in the pipes for more than four hours
However, it will take some time until all the lead lines have been replaced, but consumers can protect themselves to a certain extent. For example, the Federal Environment Agency recommends that you generally ensure that water used to drink or cook food does not remain in the pipes for more than four hours. If the faucet has not been used for a long time, consumers should always allow the water to run briefly until it has reached a constant, cool temperature. In case of further questions or problems, the responsible health authority or the provincial authority responsible for drinking water can be contacted at any time. (No)

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