With the “Drinking Water Hygiene Day” on 1 December 2025, VDI – The Association of German Engineers sets an important thematic anchor for raising awareness of clean drinking water.
At first glance, drinking water in Germany is something we take for granted – clean, fresh and available at all times. Its quality is strictly regulated in accordance with the European Drinking Water Directive, and water utilities consistently work to maintain these high standards. However, once drinking water enters buildings, its quality can be compromised buildings if unfavourable operating conditions arise, potentially posing significant health risks. To draw attention to this, the German “Drinking Water Hygiene Day” was established and is held in the context of the WHO’s World Water Day.
SafeCREW’s approach to ensure drinking water quality in the future
In SafeCREW, we address climate change impacts on drinking water supply up to the point it enters the buildings. While water quantity receives much attention, the threats of climate change impacts on water quality for drinking water supply are currently inadequately considered. In our case study in northern Germany as well as in Italy, Spain and the Ukraine we aim at improving comprehensive water quality characterisation, developing novel treatment solutions to actively respond to identified threats and guiding better management of water distribution networks to maintain high drinking water quality.
Drinking water regulation in Germany
The choice of 1 December as the date for Drinking Water Hygiene Day has historical reasons. On this date in 1999, the VDI published the VDI 6023 guideline ‘Hygiene in Drinking Water Installations’ as a white print for the first time. These standards ensure reliable health protection under the guiding principle of hygiene in technical building equipment.