Households' drinking water usage in Germany in 2023, by usage type

In German households, around 36 percent of drinking water was used for bathing, showering and personal hygiene in 2023. Around a quarter of drinking water was consumed by flushing toilets. This shows that more than half of drinking water was consumed in bathrooms. Daily, an inhabitant in Germany consumed around 129 liters of water - just under 30 years ago, it was 147 liters per capita per day in this country.

Danger of drinking water shortage

Drinking water scarcity is considered one of the important environmental issues among the population in the EU-28 member states, according to a survey. In some regions around the world, water conflicts occur again and again, which arise from different motives regarding the water supply. The World Health Organization regularly publishes a study on the situation of global drinking water supply and sanitation in this regard.

Drinking Water Quality in Germany

In 2001, the German Drinking Water Ordinance was first enacted, which includes protective regulations for drinking water and definitions. Since then, water utilities have been required to filter pollutants from drinking water and conduct strict quality controls. However, scientists disagree on whether microorganisms found very rarely in drinking water and substances that exceed certain limits can cause long-term illness in humans. Despite some concerns drinking water is considered safe food in Germany, which is most intensively controlled and can be consumed without restriction.