Tap water in Switzerland, Germany and Austria

Strictly monitored, but not right down to the glass

Drinking water in Switzerland, Germany and Austria is one of the most closely monitored foodstuffs of all. Waterworks regularly test for dozens of parameters: bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides, nitrate and, more recently, PFAS. The limit values are strict, and compliance is monitored by the authorities. In over 99% of samples, the legal requirements are met.

However, the water suppliers’ responsibility ends at the property connection. From there, the quality is in the hands of the homeowners. And this is precisely where the water can change. Old pipes made of lead, copper or galvanised steel leach metals into the water. Taps and fittings release nickel. Water that sits in the pipes overnight has a higher concentration of contaminants than freshly flushed water. What was perfectly fine at the waterworks may look different at the tap.

This gap between the waterworks and the glass of water is the same in all three countries. The differences lie in the sources, the treatment and the regional challenges.

Switzerland:

Spring water with a legacy of pesticides

Switzerland has excellent water resources. Around 40% of drinking water comes from springs, a further 40% from groundwater and about 20% from lakes. Two-thirds of Swiss drinking water requires no treatment, as natural filtration through rock layers is already sufficient.

Overall, the quality is high. However, two issues are currently of particular concern in Switzerland. The first is pesticide residues. The fungicide chlorothalonil was banned in 2020, but its degradation products are extremely persistent. At around 70% of monitoring points in agricultural areas, chlorothalonil metabolites exceed the limit of 0.1 micrograms per litre. Nationwide, over 25% of all monitoring points are affected. Concentrations are falling, but only slowly.

The second issue concerns PFAS. The Federal Office for the Environment has detected PFAS at around 50% of groundwater monitoring sites. In urban areas, the proportion is over 90%. Switzerland has postponed the adoption of the stricter EU limit values for the time being. The currently applicable maximum levels (0.3 to 0.5 micrograms per litre for individual PFAS) are less stringent than the new EU requirements.

A third issue primarily concerns lakes: hormone residues. Oestrogens from medicines such as the contraceptive pill enter water bodies via wastewater. Measurable concentrations have been detected in Lake Constance and in rivers near sewage treatment plants. The consequences are already evident in nature: male fish in affected waters are producing egg cells, a clear sign of hormonal disruption. To date, there are no limits for oestrogens and other hormone-active substances in the Swiss Drinking Water Ordinance.

Regulation is the responsibility of over 2,500 local water suppliers. Cantonal laboratories monitor compliance. From the point of connection to the property, the owner is responsible.

Germany:

High standards, regional weaknesses

German drinking water is regulated by the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), which underwent a fundamental revision in 2023. It implements the EU Drinking Water Directive and has expanded the list of substances to be tested: bisphenol A, chlorate, halogenated acetic acids and, for the first time, PFAS as a group are now monitored. Around 69% of drinking water comes from groundwater, with the remainder from surface water and bank filtrate.

The overall quality is high. Over 99% of all samples meet the legal requirements. However, there are regional differences.

Lead pipes are still common in northern and eastern Germany. Lead was used in pipework there until the 1970s. In the south, this had already been banned for over 100 years. From January 2026, all remaining lead pipes must be decommissioned or removed. Studies show that in some cities, up to 18% of tap water samples exceeded the planned stricter lead limit of 0.005 milligrams per litre.

Nitrate is the second major issue. In predominantly agricultural regions, around 16% of monitoring points exceed the limit of 50 milligrams per litre. The cause: fertilisers from agriculture seep into the groundwater.

As regards PFAS, the measured values have so far remained below the new limit of 0.1 micrograms per litre. Contamination is concentrated in sites with an industrial history or where fire-fighting agents were previously used.

Austria:

Spring water from the Alps

Austria is considered one of the countries with the best tap water in Europe. The majority of drinking water comes from protected groundwater and mountain springs, which are naturally filtered and require little treatment.

The best-known example is Vienna. Since 1873, two high-altitude spring water pipelines have been supplying spring water from the Alps to the city. The water reaches Vienna in 36 hours, solely by natural gravity, without pumps, and in drinking water quality.

The legal framework is provided by the Drinking Water Ordinance (TWV) and the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act. The Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) monitors the quality. Austria has adopted the EU limit values for PFAS since January 2026.

Overall quality is high, but Austria also has regional weaknesses. In predominantly agricultural provinces such as Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Burgenland and Styria, nitrate levels exceed the threshold at around 9% of groundwater monitoring points. Pesticide degradation products have been detected in individual samples. Particularly notable is TFA (trifluoroacetate), a PFAS substance resulting from pesticide use: in regions with intensive agricultural activity, the average concentration stands at 1,100 nanograms per litre. There is not yet a limit value for TFA. Vienna, with its protected Alpine spring water, is therefore an exception, not the rule for the whole country.

The pH value – an underestimated factor

One aspect that is rarely taken into account is the pH value of tap water. It indicates whether the water is more acidic or alkaline. Drinking water should ideally have a pH value between 6.5 and 8.5.

Acidic water (below 6.5) is more aggressive towards pipe materials. It leaches metals such as copper, zinc and lead from the pipes more quickly. Greenish discolouration on taps indicates copper corrosion. In practice, this means that two households in the same town may have different water quality coming from the tap, depending on the pipe material and the pH value of the local water.

What you can do

Find out about the water quality in your local area. Many water suppliers publish their analyses online. Find out what material your home’s pipes are made of. It is particularly worth checking for lead pipes in older buildings built before 1970. A professional water test will provide clarity on the actual quality of the water coming out of your tap.

A simple step that helps straight away: let the water run briefly in the morning before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes the stagnant water out of the pipes. And if you’d like to filter your water further: make sure the system is tested for the contaminants relevant to your region.

Our approach at MAUNAWAI

Our filter systems bridge the gap between the waterworks and your glass of water. 21 natural mineral ceramics and high-performance activated carbon filter out heavy metals, PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceutical residues. Minerals are retained. No electricity, no chemicals, no waste water.

Independent laboratory analyses have proven that our systems reduce lead and mercury to below the limit of quantification and remove over 99.99% of all tested PFAS substances. We publish the results under Science and Studies.

Whether it’s the Kini filter jug, the PiPrime gravity filter or the Peka home filter: we have the right system for every household. Contact us for a personal consultation.