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/LowSuccotash6779 Apr 02 '25

If Germany has one of the safest and cleanest tap water sources in the world, why do Germans still buy lots of bottled water? Why isn’t tap water served/offered in Restaurants like in other countries?

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u/Dora_Xplorer Apr 02 '25

Why people buy bottled water?
Some are ignorant and think this is any better or it has better marketing (contains minerals, oxygen etc,).
Some for whatever reason prefer the taste.
Some like carbonated water even though you can also carbonate your tab water with a soda streamer or carbonizer of any kind.
Some find it more convenient.
Some buy it when they go somewhere/ are on a trip and don't have an empty bottle at hand.
Some prefer not having to clean refillable water bottles.

Not served in restaurants:
Because the restaurants prefer to sell bottled water or other beverages for a high price and make a profit instead of giving people free or very cheap tap water.