This drinking water analysis tests water hardness as well as heavy and light metals: aluminum, lead, calcium, cadmium, chromium, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, sodium, nickel, antimony, zinc, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus and sulphate.
The Drinking Water Ordinance ("TrinkwV 2001") sets maximum limits and quality standards for substances that are hazardous to health. These regulations protect the consumer and oblige water suppliers to regularly check water quality. However, this warranty obligation only extends as far as household water; private drinking water systems are not covered by this ordinance.
Since water contamination often only occurs after the water has passed into the house, it is important for homeowners to check the quality of their drinking water. In buildings, the water may stand still in the pipes for several hours or even days. Depending on the material of the pipe, this can lead to chemical reactions resulting in the release of metal ions into the drinking water. Pipes in older buildings may contain copper or lead and nickel can be present in taps.
Some metals such as sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium are essential for our health but are harmful in high concentrations. Other metals are toxic even in low concentrations or can accumulate in the body. Lead toxicity can lead to neurological disorders or anemia. High levels of copper are associated with liver damage and migraines. Zinc and copper adversely affect nutrient metabolism and lead to weakened immune function as well as reducing the serum levels of some lipoproteins. Nickel contamination in drinking water can trigger allergies. In general, heavy metals can cause growth and developmental disorders, cancer, damage to organs or the nervous system and lead to autoimmune diseases.
Drinking water from well systems can contain various metals and compounds such as sulphate, nitrite, nitrate or phosphate (phosphorus) and pose health risks. Growing urbanisation, industrialisation, agriculture and wastewater are significant sources of pollution. Natural geological processes can also pollute groundwater.
Water hardness is defined by the content of calcium and magnesium compounds and can vary greatly from region to region. Soft water is suitable for washing and all applications in which it is heated; it is less suitable for removing soap and causes detergents to foam more. Hard water promotes limescale build-up in household appliances and increases the amount of detergent needed. It can affect the appearance and taste of food.
Water hardness is measured with the unit °dH ("German hardness"):
- soft: <8.4 °dH
- medium: 8.4 - 14.0 °dH
- hard: >14.0 °dH
