Zwickau drinking water: Coliform germs discovered - security guaranteed!

Trinkwasser in Zwickau enthält coliforme Keime, ist aber gesundheitlich unbedenklich. Zusätzliche Chlorung zur Desinfektion.
Drinking water in Zwickau contains coliform germs, but is harmless to health. Additional chlorination for disinfection. (Symbolbild/NAG)

Zwickau drinking water: Coliform germs discovered - security guaranteed!

The focus is currently on the quality of drinking water in Zwickau, since coliform germs have been discovered during routine examinations. Jürgen Schleier, the head of the Zwickau waterworks, gave the all-clear on Friday: The drinking water in the distribution area can continue to be consumed without hesitation, since it is not burdened with the health-questioning E. coli bacteria. Instead, it is a small amount of coliform germs that are not harmful in accordance with [Radio Zwickau] (https://www.radiozwickau.de/biebe-routine- bacteria-im-trinkwasser-zeckt-869982/)

The affected areas of the drinking water network were not specified exactly. For precautionary reasons, the waterworks have announced that they will carry out additional chlorine for disinfection in coordination with the health department. This leads to an increased chlorine content in the water, but this remains as part of the drinking water regulation and is not harmful to health. However, consumers should prepare for a slight smell of chlorine and taste. The waterworks expect this increased chlorination to be canceled in a few days.

quick measures for security

In the meantime, health authorities and institutions such as care facilities and hospitals that are in the catchment area were immediately informed about the situation. Public health comes first and everything is undertaken to ensure the drinking water quality, so Zwickau.

Coliform bacteria are not directly dangerous for healthy people, but in certain cases, serious health problems can cause, especially in the case of immunodrusted persons. According to an article by Wellblue, these bacteria often serve as indicators of possible contaminants that can also contain pathogenic microorganisms. To ensure that the water remains harmless, it is important that waterworks take immediate measures as soon as coliform bacteria are detected.

causes and possible risks

The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water can have various causes, such as contamination by animal feces or washing out surface waters in precipitation. Such impurities can also be favored by deposits in water pipes or technical problems such as pipe breaks.

In view of the increasing problem of antibiotic -resistant germs in drinking water, it is all the more important that water suppliers remain vigilant. Coliform bacteria can survive in the water for several weeks in certain conditions, which underlines the need for effective disinfection methods such as chlorination and reverse osmosis. These measures ensure that drinking water will remain pure and safe in the future.

The Wasserwerke Zwickau and the responsible health authorities are determined to keep the situation under control and to regularly inform the population. It should also be noted that if you have any questions or uncertainties, the citizens can contact the waterworks directly.

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OrtZwickau, Deutschland
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