Alarming fountain water analyzes: High nitrate values ​​endanger health!

Alarming fountain water analyzes: High nitrate values ​​endanger health!

In the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg, the focus is on an important challenge for water supply: the results of the latest fountain water analyzes. VSR water protection has carried out extensive tests and examined 378 water samples for various pollutants such as nitrate, iron and harmful bacteria. A Labormobil was active in cities such as Weiterstadt, Babenhausen and Reinheim to enable the well owners to submit their samples uncomplicated, be it directly on site or by post. These analyzes make a valuable contribution to assessing the groundwater quality and offer those affected important health information. Each fountain owner received an individual report that contained measurement results and recommendations for use. Harald Gülzow, physicist and water protection expert, has been responsible for evaluating the data from the past six years.

A remarkable result of the examination is that 27.7 % of the tested wells exceed the critical limit of 50 mg/l nitrate, while 4.8 % even have values ​​over 100 mg/l. This is alarming because high nitrate values ​​can be dangerous, especially for infants, since they affect oxygen transport in the blood. Nitrate often gets into the soil through intensive agriculture. The excessive use of fertilizer is the main cause of these unhealthy values. The VSR water protection makes it clear that unencumbered groundwater should have values ​​of less than 8 mg/l, which is not wearable in many regions, especially in areas with intensive agriculture. According to the experts, there is therefore a massive problem with the nitrate pollution in the well water.

Health risks and causes of bacterial stress

The analyzes not only reveal the nitrate problem, but also a questionable increase in bacteria in the fountain water. 17.1 % of the tested fountains were contaminated with coliform germs, while 2.7 % even showed Escherichia coli (E. coli). This concern is often the result of leaky fountain or defective wastewater pipes, which can be reinforced by heavy rain. The VSR water protection has developed a checklist for this that helps well owners to identify possible causes of the bacterial pollution and to take measures to improve water quality.

The results and detailed diagrams of the fountain water analyzes can be found on the website of the VSR water protection and offer a clear overview of the found groundwater loads. The organization, which has been fighting for clean water since 1980, has set itself the goal of minimizing health dangers and clarifying the population about the quality of their water. Nowadays, a good hand when dealing with water is more important than ever in order not only to protect your own health, but also that of the following generations.

For those interested, VSR water protection offers a variety of information on groundwater load and notes that water examinations can be scheduled for regionally. In this way, the citizens can not only close information gaps, but also contribute proactively to improve water quality.

For a detailed insight into the results of the fountain water analyzes in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, please visit the page of VSR water protection: Rheinmainverlag.de and vsr-gewaesserschutz.de .