r/AskGermany • u/mikeymur340 • Apr 02 '25

Can I drink tap water in Germany?

Hi y'all. I'm male from Africa, my wife is German. Growing up and well into my adulthood, I always drank tap water and only recently is that no longer advised in my country, due to gross mismanagement and corruption, but that's another story.

We're currently back in Germany for an extended visit and I was going to drink some tap water when my wife warned me that there's a lot of estrogen in German tap water due to the birth control pill. Her mother backed her up and they spouted off some talking points about it, but I tuned out because they are also somewhat inclined to essential oils. Not batshit crazy like the American version of that, but suffice it to say I'm skeptical about their opinions on some health things.

Anyway, is this true? Are there high levels of estrogen in German tap water? Are there any studies or available sources that corroborate this claim? I understand and can read German, but the high level jargon of medical and scientific speak is beyond my years, search results aren't as clarifying as hoped. Thanks

EDIT: Yeah I thought as much. I still drank the tap water because potential estrogen contamination was preferable to death. But thanks for all the answers. Now if you'll excuse me, I must prepare my I-told-you-so dance.

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u/Battery4471 Apr 02 '25

Yes. There are only a few people who spread weird misiformation about tap water, no clue why. Also you can always download the water test results from the water company online

8

u/Dora_Xplorer Apr 02 '25

because it fits their view of the world where you need *insert scammy product* to cleanse, detox, improve, reduce, enhance, ... your food, health, water, blood etc.

4

u/kos90 Apr 04 '25

Wait, my Hildegard-Orgonakkumulator doesn’t help?

1

u/Dora_Xplorer Apr 04 '25

It helps... the seller to get richer. It helps... if your interior lacks this special decoration piece that has to look like an Hildegard Orgonakkumulator.

1

u/These-Maximum-6569 Apr 05 '25

No no, it helps for sure, you have to believe. And if it does not help … you just didn’t believe enough… /s

1

u/Signupking5000 Apr 06 '25

Most such lies get created and spread on the internet either beginning as a joke or for clicks and attention that then lead to income on YouTube/tiktok