Tap water quality in Hamburg

The importance of water quality for health

The quality of the water we consume every day has a significant impact on our health. Contaminants in water can cause a wide range of ailments - from short-term gastrointestinal problems to long-term chronic illnesses.

For this reason, it is crucial to have clarity about what components are present in the water and how reliable the Tapwater actually is. Regular testing and treatment of the water plays a key role in ensuring that it meets high legal standards and does not contain any substances that are harmful to health.¹

Origin and extraction of Hamburg's drinking water

In Hamburg, drinking water is obtained exclusively from groundwater, making it a completely natural foodstuff. The groundwater is extracted via more than 445 vertical filter wells, which reach depths of between 20 and around 430 meters. Hamburg Wasser, the responsible supplier, operates 17 waterworks in which the extracted raw water is treated.^2,3

The drinking water ultimately reaches around 800,000 households in Hamburg via a 5,500-kilometre-long network of pipes and supplies over two million people in the region every day.

Water treatment

After being extracted from the groundwater, the drinking water in Hamburg is treated in 17 Hamburg Wasser waterworks. As the groundwater is already purified by natural filter layers of sand and gravel, the treatment process is comparatively simple.⁴

Quality assurance

Protecting groundwater resources is a top priority in Hamburg. To this end, water protection areas such as Glinde, Curslack/Altengamme and Süderelbmarsch have been established to prevent contamination. No Elbe water has been used for drinking water since the 1960s, which underlines the dependence on groundwater. The quality of the water is guaranteed by strict controls in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance, with Hamburg Wasser testing around 70,000 samples a year for up to 300 parameters.

Ingredients of tap water in Hamburg

The Tapwater in Hamburg is characterized by its high quality, which is guaranteed by the natural filtering of the groundwater and careful treatment. The exact composition varies depending on the waterworks and production area, but always remains within the limits of the German Drinking Water Ordinance. The following table provides an overview of the typical ingredients and their concentrations.⁵

Is Tapwater drinkable in Hamburg?

The Tapwater in Hamburg is considered one of the best in Germany, but the question of its drinkability depends on various aspects. The legal regulations, taste, water hardness, possible impurities and their health effects are discussed below.

Legal regulations and limit values

Drinking water in Hamburg is subject to the German Drinking Water Ordinance, which sets strict quality standards. Hamburg Wasser carries out around 70,000 sample analyses every year to monitor over 300 parameters such as nitrate, lead and pesticides.

These values are generally well below the legal limits, which confirms that the water is safe to drink. The high groundwater quality and the protected water catchment areas help to ensure that the water meets the requirements.

Taste and water hardness

The taste of Hamburg tap water is often described as pleasantly neutral, which is due to the low chlorine content (only used in exceptional cases) and the mineral composition. With a hardness of 8-14 °dH, it is considered soft to medium-hard, which minimizes limescale deposits in household appliances and makes it suitable for daily consumption. Hydrogen carbonate (150-250 mg/l) provides a slight alkalinity (pH 7.4-8.0), which rounds off the taste.⁶

Possible contamination and health effects

Despite the high quality, trace substances can get into drinking water. Small amounts of lead can be released from old pipes, especially in buildings with lead pipes (pre-1970), which could affect health, such as children's nerve development, if ingested over a long period of time. Hamburg Wasser recommends draining the water after it has been standing for a long time.

Industrial influences such as PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), which originate from chemicals such as fire extinguishing foams, or microplastics from environmental pollution are also potential contaminants.

According to current studies, however, these substances in Hamburg are usually below the detection limit or far below levels that pose a health risk.

Nevertheless, they may be present in traces and require caution for sensitive people, such as pregnant women. Nitrate or pesticide residues from agricultural areas are minimal thanks to protected water conservation areas, but could increase the risk of illness in the long term if levels are exceeded.^7,8

Current cases of drinking water contamination in Hamburg and the surrounding area

• 28.01.2025 - Legionella in drinking water - what Vonovia says
  Several apartment blocks in Hamburg-Dulsberg have been affected by a legionella infestation for months. Serious illnesses are possible as a result.
• 11.07.2024 - Drinking water test: surprising results from Hamburg
  According to a study, drinking water in many European countries is contaminated with a chemical. Several samples were taken across Europe, including from Hamburg and Lower Saxony - with surprising results.
• 29.04.2024 - Legionella in drinking water: tenants in Dulsberg concerned
  Tenants in Hamburg-Dulsberg are concerned about legionella in their drinking water. These pathogens can cause severe pneumonia.

These cases are exceptions, but they show that the quality of the house connection depends on the condition of your pipes. If you are unsure, you can use a water filter.

Measures to improve tap water in Hamburg 

Use of a water filter

There are numerous benefits to using water filters. As well as improving taste, filtration can provide health benefits by removing potentially harmful substances such as lead, chlorine, pesticides and microplastics from water. This can be particularly important for households with young children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.A good quality water filter can also help to reduce exposure to limescale, which not only improves taste but also extends the life of household appliances such as coffee machines and kettles. For more information on the benefits and products, visit the Alb Filter website.

Tips for improving the taste

In addition to using filters, there are other ways to improve the taste of tap water:

Cool water:
Cold water often tastes fresher and can mask unpleasant flavors.

Add lemon slices:
A few slices of lemon in the water can significantly improve the taste.

Aerate water:
It is advisable to leave the water to air for a few minutes to allow volatile compounds such as chlorine to evaporate.

These measures can further improve the quality and taste of tap water in Hamburg, making it not only safe but also pleasant to drink. Further information on water quality in Hamburg can be found on the Hamburg Wasser website.

Conclusion

The Tapwater in Hamburg is of an impressively high quality, which is guaranteed by natural groundwater extraction, careful treatment and strict controls in accordance with the German Drinking Water Ordinance. It is not only safe and drinkable, but also has a pleasant taste thanks to its balanced mineral content and low water hardness.

Although trace substances such as PFAS, microplastics or lead from old pipes can occur in minimal quantities, these are far below the limits that pose a health risk. If you want to ensure that the water is always flawless, you can also use a tap filter or Under-sink filter

Overall, Hamburg's drinking water offers a reliable and sustainable alternative to bottled water - a plus for health, your wallet and the environment.