Drinking water is the most strictly controlled Food
An overview of the landscape of standards and directives (Germany)
The planning, construction and operation of drinking water installations and systems must be carried out in such a way that no risks arise for the consumer. This applies to the entire water supply system from water production to the actual tapping point of the drinking water, regardless of whether it is a stationary or mobile installation. The decisive factor here is not whether the tapped water is used as drinking water, but whether the tapping point is connected to the drinking water installation.
Mobile and temporary water withdrawal points in particular, such as snack stands, stalls and mobile toilet facilities, pose serious and often health-threatening risks despite seemingly professional installation, as both the mobile facility and the entire public drinking water network can be contaminated by the unfortunate combination of various factors.
The mobile drinking water supply is a crucial aspect of modern society that must ensure a reliable and safe supply of drinking water in various situations. To achieve this goal, clear standards and guidelines are essential.
Need for guidelines?
Negative examples
The most important regulations in an overview
"Regulation on the Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption" (Drinking Water Ordinance)
The purpose of this regulation is to protect human health from the adverse effects resulting from the contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring its potability and purity. It specifies the following key points:
- The quality of drinking water
- Water treatment processes
- Responsibilities of water suppliers
- Monitoring of drinking water
"Law for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Humans" (IfSG)
It is the legal basis for ensuring and monitoring the quality of drinking water. The German Infection Protection Act has regulated the legal obligations for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in humans since January 1, 2001.
"Technical Rule: Connection of Extraction Devices to Hydrants in Drinking Water Distribution Systems"
This guideline specifically applies to the installation and operation of standpipes, providing information on regulations during installation and operation. Additionally, it mandates the use of appropriate safety devices (DIN EN 1717).
"Non-Stationary Installations – Guidelines for Requirements for Drinking Water, Planning, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Installations; Technical Rule of the DVGW"
This standard applies to non-stationary installations designed for the dispensing of drinking water within the scope of public or commercial activities according to the Drinking Water Ordinance. This includes:
- Installations on board commercially used or privately rented land, air, and water vehicles, including their filling facilities
- Other non-stationary installations with water storage
- Temporarily connected installations to a water supply system
- Distribution installations at markets, fairs, and mass events
It specifies the requirements that the responsible party must adhere to in the respective supply section and outlines how installations should be installed and operated.
"Protection of Drinking Water against Contamination in Drinking Water Installations and General Requirements for Backflow Prevention Safety Devices"
This standard prescribes, among other things, which safety devices are suitable for which applications. In practice, contaminated water of fluid categories 3 and 4 is often encountered. To reliably prevent the backflow of substances up to category 4 into the drinking water installation, the BA system separator (according to DIN EN 1717, a "pipe separator with a controllable intermediate pressure zone") is used as an approved safety device."
Legal basis
What needs to be taken into account?
Norms & Standards
The German Institute for Standardization (DIN) is the independent platform for standardization and normalization in Germany and worldwide.
A standard is a document that specifies requirements for products, services, or processes. It supports rationalization and quality assurance in business, technology, science, and administration. Standards contribute to the safety of people and property, as well as the improvement of quality in all areas of life.
Those who apply DIN standards, recognized as rules of technology, can more easily demonstrate correct behavior.
DVGW Work sheets
The German Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) is a recognized standard-setting organization for the gas and water industry, a technical-scientific knowledge carrier, and an initiator and promoter of industry-related research projects and innovations based in Bonn.
Its main task is the development of technical regulations to ensure the safety and reliability of gas and water supply. Recognized rules of technology (aaRT) can be created, often referred to in legislation. Compliance with these rules is not mandatory, but they serve as a benchmark in case of damage, and they may have quasi-"legal" significance in terms of liability law. This includes the DVGW worksheets frequently consulted in water supply.
DVGW Certificates
The DVGW maintains a testing and certification system according to its statutes. DVGW CERT GmbH is established as an independent and neutral industry certifier in the European internal market. Safety, hygiene, and environmental compatibility are the focal points of all examinations.
The basis is the DVGW rulebook as well as nationally and internationally recognized guidelines, standards, and certification programs. With a DVGW certification, product manufacturers, specialized companies, utilities, and experts demonstrate to their customers and market partners that, in relation to their respective scope of activities, the state of the art is being adhered to.
In drinking water supply, only certified products and materials may be used. All certified products are labeled.
Supply sections
According to DIN 2001-2
Supply section 1
The water utilityFrom: Water extraction facility
To: Central safety device at the transfer point
Water supply companies are responsible for the quality of water from water extraction up to and including the central safety device at the transfer point. Safety devices ensure that water cannot re-enter the drinking water network. This prevents, for example, contaminated water from flowing back through an old hose. Backflow often occurs due to pressure surges or driving over the lines.
The use of suitable safety devices plays a central role in drinking water hygiene, especially in the case of mobile supply systems.
It is not always foreseeable into which category the water at the deployment site should be classified. In practice, contaminated water of liquid categories 3 and 4 is often encountered. To safely prevent the backflow of substances up to category 4 into the drinking water installation, the BA system separator (according to DIN EN 1717, a "pipe separator with a controllable intermediate pressure zone") is used as an approved safety device.
Supply section 2
The event operatorFrom: Central safety device at the transfer point
To: Safety device at the delivery point of the distribution system
From this point on, the event organizer or operator takes responsibility for the drinking water quality. Distribution systems are typically set up for each event and dismantled, stored, or transported after the event ends. Contaminants can enter the distribution systems during these processes. Therefore, careful attention must be paid to the materials and components, as well as their proper installation!
Stringent controls by health and regulatory authorities regarding the correct drinking water installation, as well as the components and materials used, are steadily increasing. Violations of these regulations have serious consequences for the organizer. In the event of a violation, it may be necessary to shut down and disinfect the entire drinking water distribution, posing a significant financial risk and image loss for the organizer.
When supplying multiple users with drinking water, an appropriate distribution system is required. Each user must be secured with their own connection point with a BA system separator. Cross-connections between users are not allowed.
Supply section 3
The stand operatorFrom: Safety device at the delivery point
Up to and including: Via the system connection to the withdrawal point in the non-permanent system
The operator of the subsequently connected system or the consumer (e.g., snack stand or market stand) is responsible for the proper installation within their supply section. These systems are often operated seasonally or irregularly, resulting in longer stagnation times due to operational reasons than those provided for in the generally recognized rules of technology for central drinking water installations.
It is particularly important to pay attention to the correct installation and operation in such cases, as the water frequently comes into direct or indirect contact with people (e.g., when rinsing glasses or preparing food). Distribution systems are typically set up for each event and dismantled, stored, or transported after the event ends. Contaminants can enter the distribution systems during these processes.
A separate secured connection point is required for each food cart, beverage cart, showman, and sanitary facility!
STORAGE & DISINFECTION
Even when standpipes and other components of the mobile drinking water supply are not in use, guidelines and recommendations for storage, cleaning and disinfection apply, as safety and hygiene play a major role here too.
Fluid categories
acc. to DIN EN 1717
The standard DIN EN 1717 plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and integrity of drinking water in buildings and facilities. It establishes various fluid categories aimed at protecting drinking water from contaminants and potentially harmful influences. These categories are of great significance as they form the basis for the planning, installation, and operation of drinking water systems.
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Marcus Hünnekens
Product Management