Since 12 January 2026, no drinking water pipe in Germany may contain lead, not even in trace amounts. This is now a hard legal requirement under the German Drinking Water Ordinance (Trinkwasserverordnung, or TrinkwV).
Lead pipes were a common building material in Germany well into the 20th century. Houses built after 1973 are no longer affected, because no lead pipes have been installed anywhere in Germany since that year.
But older buildings, particularly in northern and eastern Germany, may still have lead pipes.
The revised Trinkwasserverordnung came into force on 24 June 2023. It set a deadline of 12 January 2026 for all lead pipes and lead pipe sections to be removed or decommissioned.
NOTE: The ban covers partial lead sections too. Even a short lead segment in an otherwise modern installation is no longer permitted.
What are the health hazards of lead pipes?
Lead is a nerve toxin and can impair blood formation and intellectual development. Pregnant women, unborn children, infants, and young children are particularly at risk.
Even small sections of lead pipe are critical. Lead in contact with other metals can release high amounts of lead into water through galvanic corrosion.
The lead limit for drinking water has been progressively reduced over 15 years, from 45 µg/l down to the current limit of 10 µg/l (0.010 mg per litre). The problem is that this limit is essentially impossible to meet if lead pipes are present.
In stagnant water, the lead can exceed by a multiple. For example, water that has sat in pipes overnight may contain high quantities of lead.
Who is responsible for lead pipe replacement?
- For household connection pipes running from the street to the building: The water supplier is responsible for carrying out the replacement.
- The pipes within the building: The property owner is responsible
Are you affected by lead pipes?
The following people are not affected
- Your building was built after 1973.
- You live in Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg
People living in older buildings in northern and eastern Germany are affected.
How can you check if your building has lead pipes?
- Check the visible pipes in your basement in front of and behind the water meter. Lead pipes are softer than copper or steel. They can be easily scratched with a knife and appear silver-grey in colour.
- Ask your landlord (Vermieter) or property manager directly. Since December 2013, landlords have been legally required to inform tenants in writing or by notice if lead pipes are present in the building. It doesn’t matter if the lead limit is not exceeded.
- You can have a lab test to determine the lead content in your tap water. Let the water sit in the pipes for at least four hours before taking the sample. The pure lab costs are around €15. If a certified testing agency collects the sample for you, expect €50 to €100.
What should you do if lead pipes are still present?
If you are a tenant:
- Ask your landlord or property manager in writing whether lead pipes have been removed.
- If your landlord confirms lead pipes are still in place and has not removed them by the deadline, they are in breach of the Trinkwasserverordnung. You can contact your local health authority (Gesundheitsamt) to report this.
- If the lead limit of 10 µg/l is exceeded, you can claim a rent reduction (Mietminderung).
- Don’t use water that may be lead-contaminated for drinking or food preparation. Pregnant women, infants, and children up to age six should never drink water from lead pipes.
- As a precaution, always run the tap until the water runs cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes stagnant water out of the pipes.
How to rent a property in Germany ->
Your rights as a tenant in Germany ->
If you are a property owner:
- You are legally required to decommission all lead pipes and lead sections by 12 January 2026. If this has not happened, contact a certified plumber immediately.
- If you are unsure, contact your local Gesundheitsamt (health authority), a certified plumbing firm (Sanitär- und Heizungstechnik), the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre), or your local Haus- und Grundbesitzerverein (property owners’ association) for guidance.
NOTE: Coating pipes with epoxy resin or using filters are not accepted solutions under the Trinkwasserverordnung. The pipes must be physically removed or decommissioned.
