Utilized for cleansing purposes.
In the Rhein-Kreis Neuss region of Germany, the local health department plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and hygiene of the drinking water supply. The Infection Control and Environmental Hygiene department, a key division within the health authority, is responsible for overseeing these functions under the local public health framework.
The department's responsibilities include monitoring and testing drinking water quality, investigating potential contamination sources, providing recommendations and enforcing measures for maintaining hygiene in public water supply systems, and advising and collaborating with water suppliers, public institutions, and the community on best practices for water hygiene and infection prevention.
One of the primary concerns in maintaining drinking water hygiene is the presence of nitrates, which can be associated with the development of prostate cancer when they exceed the limit in drinking water. The local health department strictly adheres to the legal limits for nitrate levels in drinking water, and tests the water drawn from the waterworks in the area for nitrate levels.
Water suppliers, network operators, and the health department collaborate to ensure water reaches consumers in good quality. This collaboration is essential, especially in managing challenges such as controlling drinking water on markets and festivals, where hygiene inspectors ensure regulations are followed and water samples are taken.
The hygiene inspectors, a team within the Infection Control and Environmental Hygiene department, are tasked with inspecting wells, public drinking water systems, and waterworks. One of the experts leading this team is Oliver Hanke, head of the department, who oversees a team of 20 employees who work closely with water suppliers and network operators.
Oliver Hanke recommends caution with Legionella, a health risk at temperatures between 25 and 55°C. He emphasises the importance of maintaining proper water temperatures to prevent the growth of this harmful bacteria.
On World Water Day, March 22, Barbara Albrecht, head of the local health department in Rhein-Kreis Neuss, emphasised the importance of water conservation. This year's theme was "Accelerating Change" with the UN's goal being to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
For more detailed, official descriptions or specific information about the Rhein-Kreis Neuss health department's responsibilities and roles regarding drinking water hygiene, contacting the department directly or visiting their official website (www.rhein-kreis-neuss.de/gesundheitsamt) would provide authoritative and precise information. The health department is also involved in setting up public drinking water fountains, ensuring that residents have access to clean drinking water in public spaces.
The Infection Control and Environmental Hygiene department, a key division within the health authority, extends its responsibilities beyond hygiene in drinking water systems to include environmental concerns, specifically monitoring and testing water quality in relation to environmental-science topics such as nitrate levels. In addition, the department collaborates with various water suppliers, public institutions, and the community on best practices for water hygiene and infection prevention, which encompasses health-and-wellness issues like the prevention of Legionella growth.
