Water Analysis

We analyse the water quality in our special registered laboratories. They examine the drinking water, wastewater and sewage sludge physically, chemically as well as microbiologically. Equipped with state-of-the-art analysis technology, in addition to natural water constituents, they can determine all kinds of pollutants as well as microbiological parameters very precisely. We also dedicate these skills to research.

We also offer our analytical expertise as a service to companies, municipalities, authorities, research facilities and private customers.

Our Laboratory Services at a Glance:

We advise you on water quality and drinking water installations.
We test drinking water for legionella.
We test your wells.
We check the likelihood of corrosion in your drinking water systems.
We test groundwater and surface water.
We analyse wastewater and sludge.
We assess chemicals and substances.
We undertake toxicity estimations.
We have specially equipped vehicles with which we take water samples from static waters and running waters as well as pumped samples from aquifers or wastewater samples.
We conduct quality assurance audits.

Lead analysis

The entire public drinking water network of Berlin is free from lead pipes. However, the water[SO1] can flow through old lead pipes in the final metres before your water tap – for example, in unrenovated or partly renovated buildings. Our lead analysis clarifies the situation.

Our accredited laboratory conducts a lead analysis of your water sample for you. We charge 14.28 euros (incl. 19% VAT) for the lead analysis.

We pay the cost of a lead analysis as a once-only offer for Berlin households in which pregnant women or babies up to the age of twelve months live. To prove your eligibility, please submit to us your maternity record or your child’s birth certificate together with your application.

Laboratory

Who is responsible for ensuring that my drinking water is free from lead?

The German Drinking Water Ordinance specifies a limit value of 0.010 milligram per litre for lead in drinking water from 1 December 2013. This can only be ensured with a lead-free supply pipe. The building owner is responsible for this. They are obliged to provide their tenants with safe drinking water.

Why is lead dangerous?

Corrosion slowly releases the lead from pipes or fittings. It gets into the drinking water. If the lead concentration exceeds the limit specified in the Drinking Water Ordinance, it can be harmful to health, particularly for pregnant women and small children. In case of regular intake, even low concentrations can influence blood formation and the intelligence development of the foetus and small children.

How can I identify old lead pipes?

One indication is the age of the property. Until around 1970, lead was used as an installation material. As lead is soft you can easily identify exposed lead pipes: They can be scratched or scraped off with a pointed object. The silver-grey lead pipes were laid in curved lines due to their pliability. Other pipe materials such as copper or galvanised steel are far harder and are mostly soldered at right angles. If you knock on lead it produces a dull thud.

In most cases, the building owner can also give you information about the pipe materials.

How can I protect myself?

If lead pipes are present they should be replaced as soon as possible. Until then, we advise that wherever possible, children and pregnant women use purchased packaged water for drinking and food purposes. There are no restrictions for personal hygiene.

Furthermore, we recommend that you let tap water from lead pipes to run until it has become noticeably cool before using it. This reduces the lead content.

Housing companies, landlords and property managers are obliged to provide their tenants with safe drinking water. That is what the Drinking Water Ordinance requires. You can ensure this with our comprehensive “Drinking water system check”.

Landlords of multi-dwelling buildings must test their drinking water installation regularly for legionella. Landlords of multi-dwelling buildings must check this regularly. Since December 2012, the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) specifies new rules for protection against legionella.

Legionella prevention

As an owner and operator you must have your drinking water installation* tested for legionella:

if you operate a large system for domestic hot water heating and distribute the drinking water to other users within the scope of a commercial or public activity, for example, to kindergartens or rented apartments;
if there are showers, air-conditioning systems or other equipment in which water is finely sprayed and can be breathed in by people in apartments or houses that you let as the owner.

*Installations without aerosol-forming equipment are not subject to the general test obligation. These include business properties in which only toilets and washrooms exist.

Small and large system? Find out about the difference

Small systems are systems with...

storage domestic water heaters or central instantaneous domestic water heaters,
a volume ≤ 400 litres and a volume ≤ 3 litres in each pipe between the outlet at the domestic water heater and the point of use (a possibly existing circulation pipe is not taken into consideration).
Detached and semi-detached houses are also counted as small systems - even if the volumes in the pipes are higher.

Large systems are systems with ...

storage domestic water heaters or central instantaneous domestic water heaters
a volume ≥ 400 litres and/or a volume ≥ 3 litres in each pipe between the outlet at the domestic water heater and the point of use (e.g. in: residential buildings, hotels, retirement and care homes, hospitals, sports and industrial facilities, swimming pools

Laboratory Service

Berliner Wasserbetriebe
Motardstraße 35
13629 Berlin

Service hotline: +498002927587

Sampling opening hours
Tue: 08:30 – 14:00
Closed on Mon, Wed, Thur and Fri