Water and drinking
Chemnitz drinking water supply: measures show initial effect
Current information on the drinking water supply in Chemnitz
Coliform environmental germs detected - ongoing monitoring - search for causes continues
Chemnitz drinking water supply: measures show initial effect
After extensive measures: Drinking water in Chemnitz free of germs again
(2 September 2025) Chemnitz's drinking water once again complies with the limit values of the Drinking Water Ordinance. For more than two weeks, sampling has shown no more findings for the coliform environmental germ Serratia fonticola. The drinking water can therefore be consumed again without restriction.
After the environmental germ was detected in the Chemnitz drinking water network at the beginning of July, the supplier eins, its network operator inetz and the operator of the upstream network, Südsachsen Wasser, realised extensive network flushing and disinfection measures in coordination with the Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz. The measures introduced were effective. Increased monitoring and continued coordination between all institutions involved is currently taking place in order to maintain the status achieved. The disinfection measures are being gradually reduced.
There was no evidence of a source for the occurrence of the environmental pathogen Serratia fonticola. The partners involved have been in dialogue on this topic with other regional and national suppliers, some of whom have had similar problems, as well as scientific institutions and other authorities. It is suspected that the higher temperatures and stagnation due to low water withdrawal in parts of the water network may have led to a proliferation of the germ. As a result, the limit specified by the Drinking Water Ordinance - zero coliform germs in 100 millilitres of drinking water - was exceeded in the drinking water network.
The water quality continues to be constantly monitored. Every year, more than 100 water samples are routinely analysed in Chemnitz by supplier one. In addition, around 850 water samples are taken annually by the district water supplier Zweckverband Fernwasser Südsachsen and further official samples by the City of Chemnitz's Office for Health and Prevention.
More on the topic
Further information on current sampling and the general drinking water supply in Chemnitz can be found at Eins, the water supplier for the city.
(Not only) in the heat: don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink
You should drink enough, especially during hot spells. You should not wait until you are thirsty, as thirst is already a sign of deficiency. If possible, do not drink coffee, highly sweetened drinks or drinks containing alcohol.
Therefore: Try to drink a glass of water every hour, even if you are not thirsty. Tap water is recommended, as it is one of the best controlled foods in Germany.
Water to go
Drinking fountain
There are currently eight drinking fountains in Chemnitz from which you can drink water and cool off. The current drinking fountains are located at the following sites:
Refill stations
There are cafés, bars and shops where you can refill your water bottle or drinking vessel with tap water free of charge. You can recognise these so-called refill stations by the blue refill sticker in the map overview. Refill is a Germany-wide initiative that enables tap water to be made available free of charge.
Become a refill station
Refill stickers
Chemnitz-specific refill stickers are available free of charge on request by e-mail. Standard refill stickers can also be downloaded free of charge.