Dangerously high temperatures may affect the safety of your water supply - Soaring temperatures may potentially impact the quality of your drinking water.
In the heart of Germany, the regions of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt have been experiencing soaring temperatures, with Jena and the Saale-Holzland district being particularly affected. The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts temperatures up to 36 degrees on Friday, following temperatures in Thuringia and Saxony already surpassing 30 degrees Celsius.
This heat wave is causing concern for the quality of drinking water in these regions, as the prolonged high temperatures can impact water resources and compromise drinking water quality. The German Press Agency reported on the situation in Erfurt, but no specific issues with the drinking water quality were mentioned. However, in Jena, an increase in the reproduction of microorganisms in the Thuringian long-distance water supply has been observed, leading to the need for disinfection in approximately 11,000 households.
The water may have a typical chlorine smell due to the disinfection process. In some communities such as Altenberga, Bucha, and Milda in the Saale-Holzland district, and the district of Remderoda in Jena, additional disinfection measures have been implemented. In Remderoda, the drinking water in a high tank of the Thuringian long-distance water supply is being additionally disinfected with chlorine.
The presence of coliform bacteria, which are found in the intestines of invertebrates and vertebrates and can be widely detected in the environment, may be present in the disinfected drinking water. While these bacteria are generally harmless, their presence can indicate that other, potentially harmful pathogens may also be present.
Heat waves in Thuringia and surrounding regions are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, with projections showing rising temperatures and more extreme weather events including droughts in Germany overall. This can influence water resources by reducing surface water availability and increasing water temperatures. Higher water temperatures during heat waves can promote microbial growth and proliferation of pathogens in water sources, potentially compromising drinking water quality if treatment is insufficient. Drought and lower water levels can concentrate contaminants and reduce dilution capacity.
In Thuringia, some pilot projects focusing on heat wave preparedness, such as the one in Zeulenroda, are underway, indicating growing regional attention to climate impacts including on water supplies. These measures are crucial to safeguard public health and ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water in the face of climate change.
While health complaints in people with weakened immune systems could not be ruled out entirely in July, according to Jena, no widespread health issues have been reported to date. It is important for individuals to stay hydrated and drink only safe, disinfected water during heat waves.
As the fight against climate change continues, it is essential to prioritise the protection of water resources and the implementation of effective water treatment and monitoring measures to ensure the continued provision of safe drinking water for all.
- The community policy in Thuringia should emphasize the importance of environmental science, particularly in the context of climate change, to effectively address the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, which can compromise drinking water quality and public health-and-wellness.
- The impact of climate change on water resources, such as reducing surface water availability and increasing water temperatures, is a critical concern for environmental-science, as it can lead to microbial growth and proliferation of pathogens in water sources, potentially compromising drinking water quality.
- In the face of climate change, the implementation of science-based strategies for heat wave preparedness, such as the pilot project in Zeulenroda, is crucial to ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water, maintain public health, and safeguard the environment.
