Greifswald in a state of emergency: boil drinking water because of bacteria!

Greifswald in a state of emergency: boil drinking water because of bacteria!

There is currently a serious health problem affecting the population in Greifswald. The city administration has determined that the permitted bacteria levels in the drinking water have been exceeded. For this reason, citizens are asked to boil tap water before drinking it. This measure is expected to apply until further notice, although the island of Riems is exempt from this boil order. The situation could develop into gastrointestinal irritation if recommendations are not followed. Nevertheless, the Vorpommern-Greifswald district gives the all-clear: no further health risks are to be expected and there is no connection to the EHEC outbreak in the region.

What are the direct recommendations for the residents? Boiled water can be safely used to prepare food and drinks, wash fruit and vegetables and brush teeth. Boiled water is also suitable for medicinal purposes. There's good news for showering or bathing - the water doesn't have to be boiled as long as you don't drink it. For dishwashers, make sure to use the 70 degree program to kill any remaining bacteria.

What are enterococci?

The culprits are enterococci, a group of bacteria that occur naturally in the human and animal intestines. These bacteria play a role in the ripening process of foods such as Camembert and are also important for the human intestinal flora. Still, certain strains can cause health problems, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Gastrointestinal diseases, urinary tract infections and even life-threatening blood poisoning are possible consequences of this contamination. The risk situation is particularly alarming because certain enterococcal strains are also resistant to antibiotics, which makes treatment significantly more difficult.

The presence of enterococci in drinking water is a clear sign of possible fecal contamination. Their origins can be varied, from hygiene problems to technical malfunctions to improper maintenance of the water pipes. The limit value for enterococci in drinking water in Germany is clearly defined: zero per 100 milliliters. If this is exceeded, measures such as a boiling water requirement must be taken immediately. This means that the water must come to a rolling boil and steep for at least two minutes.

Health care and preventative measures

If you suspect enterococci in the water, there are some important steps to take. In addition to boiling the water, a water test should be carried out to determine the actual water quality. Affected people should also seek alternative water sources, such as bottled water, and have their plumbing checked for possible defects.

A call for more caution: The quality of drinking water is particularly important for children and immunocompromised people. It is therefore recommended to have drinking water tested annually, especially in older buildings or after special events such as construction work or extreme weather conditions. Effective measures such as water filter systems or UV disinfection can offer long-term safety.

In order to ensure long-term water quality, it remains essential that municipal waterworks actively identify and eliminate the causes of contamination. Chlorine can be used as a disinfectant to protect the water from further bacteria, although this may result in a slight smell of chlorine - but is harmless to health. Until the situation stabilizes, residents in Greifswald are well advised to take the boiling water regulations seriously and pay attention to appropriate hygiene.

For more information about the health effects and proper management of drinking water contaminants, those affected can access the following links: World, BR and Filter your water.