New Guideline ensures high quality of drinking water

Consumers will benefit from improved quality assurance of drinking water due to a new guideline on drinking water established under the leadership of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, BfS). The guideline provides recommendations on the testing of drinking water for radioactive substances and the evaluation of results. Large water supply companies shall be obliged to carry out tests pf drinking water for radioactive substances by the end of 2019. The guideline makes an important contribution to the forthcoming review.

Low levels of natural radioactive substances in drinking water

Exposure to natural radioactive substances in drinking water is low in Germany. A study conducted by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection in 2009 showed that radionuclides in drinking water contributed about 0.009 or 0.05 Millisievert to the annual radiation exposure of adults and infants, respectively.

For comparison: natural radiation exposure of the general public accounts for about 2.1 Millisieverts per year on the average. However, the level of natural radioactive substances in drinking water varies, depending on the subsoil composition.

Drinking water guideline updated

A first guideline for the analysis and evaluation of drinking water for radioactivity was prepared in 2009 and 2012 by an interdisciplinary working group of representatives of ministries, measuring institutions of the Laender, analytical laboratories and water associations, under the direction of the BfS. The contracting authority was the Federal Environment Ministry.

With regard to the testing obligation stipulated in the amended Drinking Water Ordinance, this Guideline has now been updated, considering the state of science. It is recommended by the Federal Environment Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection and other competent authorities to use the revised guideline for the forthcoming tests. This is intended to ensure the high quality of drinking water in Germany.