Drinking water from groundwater (approx. 75% in Germany)

  • occurs under suitable soil conditions due to infiltration of precipitation
  • is taken from sources or deep wells drilled for it.
  • has natural protection through soil filtration
  • needs smaller protected areas
  • can only be improved in quality over very long periods of time
  • is a harder water because it absorbs minerals from the soil
  • needs more energy because it has to be pumped out of the ground with pumps
  • in the best case requires no or only little preparation
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Water origin

The extraction of our drinking water varies greatly from region to region. In Germany, as in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, drinking water is largely taken from groundwater and spring water. In addition, water utilities rely on dams, river water, bank filtrates or artificially enriched groundwater.

In the district of Birkenfeld, on the other hand, the drinking water supply is mainly ensured by the Steinbachtal dam.


⬤ Groundwater
⬤ Surface water
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