After five years of living in Germany, my time in this wonderful country has come to an end. Beyond the culture, lifestyle, and day-to-day differences, one area that stood out to me, especially now that I work in the water and wastewater industry, is drinking water. It’s something so present in our daily lives, yet the differences between Germany and the U.S. are striking.
Here are a few key takeaways:
1. Regulations & Standards
Germany: Drinking water is regulated under the Trinkwasserverordnung (German Drinking Water Ordinance), which is even stricter than EU minimum standards. Limits on contaminants like nitrates, pesticides, and heavy metals are very strict. Old infrastructure with lead pipes, and agricultural runoff are constantly monitored and tap water is tested more frequently than bottled water.
U.S.: Regulations vary by state, and while water is generally safe, challenges such as PFAS (“forever chemicals”), lead pipes, and agricultural runoff remain ongoing concerns.
2. Treatment Methods
Germany: Water often requires minimal treatment. Disinfection is typically done with ozone or UV light instead of chlorine, which means tap water rarely tastes or smells of chemicals.
U.S.: Chlorine or chloramine is commonly used to keep water safe across large systems, which ensures safety but often gives water a distinct taste or smell.
3. Hardness & Taste
Germany: Tap water is often “hard,” rich in calcium and magnesium. This mineral content makes it taste different and can leave limescale in kettles, but it’s healthy. Many Germans drink tap water, yet sparkling bottled water is a cultural favorite.
U.S.: Water hardness varies widely depending on the source. Some areas soften water, while others have naturally softer profiles. The taste often leans toward “flat” or chlorinated compared to Germany.
4. Public Trust & Culture
Germany: Tap water is trusted and safe, but bottled sparkling water is still a social staple. Recently, there’s been a stronger push toward sustainability and tap water use.
U.S.: Public trust in tap water has declined, partly because of high-profile contamination crises, most notably in Flint, Michigan. Many households rely on filters or bottled water. In restaurants, tap water is the default unless bottled is requested.
What’s your preference? Do you enjoy the taste of tap water in the U.S.? Do you use a filter at home, or do you mostly rely on bottled water? And if you do, what happens with all those bottles? Here in Germany, there’s an amazing practice called the “Pfand” system that I truly believe should be adopted in the U.S.
What is the Pfand System?
One practice I wish all the states in the U.S. would adopt is Germany’s Pfand system, a deposit-return program for bottles (currently only available in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont).
Here’s how it works:
When you buy bottled water (plastic or glass), you pay a small deposit (€0.25 for single-use, €0.08–€0.15 for reusable).
After drinking, you return the bottle to a Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine) at the supermarket.
The machine issues a voucher, which you can redeem for cash or credit on your groceries.
Why it matters:
Over 97% of deposit bottles in Germany are returned.
Glass bottles can be reused up to 50 times, PET bottles up to 25 times.
It drastically reduces waste and makes recycling part of everyday life.
It’s a small habit that makes a big impact—and something I’ll truly miss when I return to the U.S. It does not require extra effort and can benefit everyone.
What are your thoughts? Should the U.S. adopt a system like this to encourage real recycling? Beyond just convenience, practices like these can make a lasting impact on public health, sustainability, and how we value our natural resources. What changes do you believe we need to embrace to ensure safe, high-quality water for future generations? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Written by: Sandy Rivera, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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