Since Friday, 2 June 2006, Giessen's drinking water has been chlorinated as a precautionary measure, as reported in a press release by Stadtwerke Giessen AG (SWG) in coordination with the Giessen health authority. The reason for this is the suspicion of bacterial contamination of the drinking water. This is the result of a routine examination of the water. Until the final results of the microbiological test are available, the municipal utilities will add chlorine to the water.
Affected areas
The entire Giessen water network is affected, with the exception of the districts of Kleinlinden, Lützellinden Allendorf and Rödgen.
Drinking water ordinance stipulates chlorination;
Customers do not have to boil the water
Due to the deviating results from the normal values, the drinking water ordinance stipulates that the water must be chlorinated. "There is no cause for panic. Further precautionary measures by our customers, such as boiling the drinking water, are also not necessary," said Peter Keller, Head of Water Supply/Plant Engineering. "We immediately informed the health authority and repeated the sample," Keller added. The final results of the further tests are expected to be available next Tuesday, 6 June 2006.
Type of contamination
The routine examination of the water revealed a low level of coliform germs. Coliform germs are so-called "indicator germs", which are generally harmless to human health. They indicate a contamination that does not necessarily have to be of faecal origin, but can also enter the drinking water via general contamination.
Searching for causes
The municipal utilities assume that the contamination is due to extensive pipework work currently being carried out in the Giessen water network. SWG will inform consumers as soon as the cause of the contamination has been finally determined.