On March 22, 2025, the Energieversorgung Leverkusen (EVL) published its latest drinking water analyses in observance of World Water Day, emphasizing the quality and safety of its water supply.
The portal www.wasserqualität-online.de offers residents access to detailed water quality values for their specific households. This initiative allows individuals to check content sources, ingredients, and the hardness of Leverkusen's drinking water from the comfort of their homes.
Thomas Eimermacher, the commercial manager of EVL, stated, "Our analyses confirm compliance with all limits set by the Drinking Water Ordinance." EVL conducts approximately 260 analyses annually to monitor hygiene standards and limits. Additionally, the organization deploys "Trinkwassermonteure," who examine the 95 groundwater measuring points on a weekly, monthly, and semi-annual basis.
So, what specifically is in the drinking water? For instance, an analysis from Wiesdorf indicates that the water at the address Ludwig-Erhard-Platz—a notable location in the city—comes from several sources: the Große Dhünn-Talsperre, the Dabringhausen waterworks, and Wermelskirchen. The water there features 0.97 millimol of calcium carbonate per liter, reflecting the soft water classification. This quality extends across several neighborhoods, including Manfort, Schlebusch, Steinbüchel, and Lützenkirchen, barring a few exceptions.
Meanwhile, the Opladen district shows slightly different figures. Water from Kölner Straße has 1.40 millimol of calcium carbonate per liter, marking a marginally harder classification. Residents in Opladen, along with people from Hitdorf, Rheindorf, Bürriger, Küppersteger, and Alkenrather, draw their supply from the Rheindorf waterworks.
These analyses provide reassurance as both Wiesdorf and Opladen have substantially low nitrate levels: 10.7 mg per liter in Wiesdorf and 16.8 mg in Opladen. This is significantly below the legal limit of 50 mg, ensuring that residents’ health is not compromised. Chloride data indicates that Wiesdorf shows 9.3 mg chloride per liter, whereas Opladen's figures show 31.2 mg, well within the established upper limit of 250 mg.
In terms of beneficial minerals, Wiesdorf water contains calcium at 33.4 mg and magnesium at 3.4 mg, while Opladen's figures are somewhat higher at 41.7 mg of calcium and 8.6 mg of magnesium. While EVL emphasizes that the water can contribute towards daily recommended amounts of these essential minerals, it’s worth noting that relying solely on tap water to fulfill daily dietary needs could be unrealistic.
Eimermacher commented on regional water reserves, noting that despite the current dry spring, the Große Dhünn-Talsperre is approximately 90 percent full, thanks to the generous rainfall during the previous autumn and winter months. "At the onset of the vegetation period, the reservoir level is currently solid," he explained. The EVL draws not only from the Große Dhünn-Talsperre but also from the Rheindorf waterworks and a minor portion from the Currenta-operated Hitdorf waterworks.
The multifaceted approach to water supply in Leverkusen provides a sense of security that stands in contrast to several other communities facing shortages. Eimermacher highlighted this stability, emphasizing that the city's diverse water resources ease concerns during drier periods, a sentiment echoed by many locals.
How does EVL manage these vast resources? The organization stated that approximately 30 percent of its annual demand—an estimated nine million cubic meters—comes from the Rheindorf waterworks, which plays a crucial role in fulfilling local water needs. As Eimermacher detailed, "Since 1988, we have sourced around 70 percent of our water supply from the Große Dhünn-Talsperre, with up to 1,000 cubic meters transported hourly through an extensive 17-kilometer pipeline from the purification facility in Dabringhausen-Bremen."
The infrastructure is built to accommodate high demand, with facilities such as a towering water reservoir and four other drinking water tanks, together capable of storing over 15,000 cubic meters. This advanced setup ensures robust water distribution across the city's nearly 28,000 service connections.
Furthermore, the extensive pipe network of Leverkusen spans over 530 kilometers, covering the majority of the city, with only a few villages in Bergisch Neukirchen relying on smaller water associations instead of EVL for their supply. This extensive infrastructure is pivotal in ensuring that clean and drinkable water flows seamlessly to residents.
Residents can be assured: Leverkusen takes its drinking water seriously. With thorough testing, effective management, and diligent monitoring, both the EVL and local officials have a robust plan resulting in safe drinking water for its citizens. As communities across the globe navigate water issues, EVL’s proactive measures stand as a model of responsible drinking water management.
