Drinking Water Ordinance: Important Knowledge for Property Owners and Managers

What is the Drinking Water Ordinance?

Die Trinkwasserverordnung (TrinkwV) is a German law that regulates the quality of drinking water. It transposes EU directives and specifies the requirements for the quality of drinking water to protect consumers' health. This includes limits for microorganisms, chemical substances, and other parameters that must be regularly monitored.

Duties arising from the Drinking Water Ordinance

Für Eigentümer und Verwalter von Mehrfamilienhäusern ergeben sich aus der Trinkwasserverordnung verschiedene Pflichten:

• Regular Inspections: The drinking water installations must be regularly tested for Legionella and other harmful substances. The frequency of these tests depends on the type of usage and the size of the facility.

• Documentation and Reporting: The results of water tests must be documented, and if the limits are exceeded, they must be reported to the health authorities.

• Information Obligation: Tenants and users of the property must be informed about the quality of the drinking water and any potential risks.

Implementation of the Drinking Water Ordinance

To meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance, owners and managers should consider the following steps:

1. Commissioning an accredited laboratory: For water testing, a laboratory accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 should be commissioned.

2. Regular maintenance: The drinking water installations should be regularly maintained to prevent deposits and contamination.

3. Adaptation of the installations: In case of repeated exceedances of limit values, the drinking water installations must be inspected and, if necessary, renovated or adapted.

4. Education and information: It is important to educate all residents and users about the importance of responsible handling of drinking water.

The importance for owners and managers

Compliance with the Drinking Water Ordinance is not only a legal obligation but also a contribution to the health protection of residents. Violations of the ordinance can lead to serious health risks and have legal as well as financial consequences.

Conclusion

The Drinking Water Ordinance plays a central role in property management and significantly contributes to the safety and health of residents. Owners and managers must be aware of the importance of this ordinance and take necessary measures to comply with the regulations. Hochheiden Property Management is here to assist you in professionally implementing the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance and managing your properties safely and in compliance with the law.

Do you have any questions about the Drinking Water Ordinance or do you need assistance with implementing its requirements in your properties? Contact us - we are here to support you with our expertise and experience.