<![CDATA[Wasserkiez Neukölln - Interkulturelles Wasserprojekt im Donaukiez

<![CDATA[Wasserkiez Neukölln - Interkulturelles Wasserprojekt im Donaukiez - BLOG]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:49:01 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[WATER TESTS IN DONAUkiez]]>Mon, 29 Nov 2021 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.wasserkiez.de/blog/water-tests-in-donaukiez

The water quality of the drinking fountains in Berlin is tested regularly. This is especially visible when the fountains are turned on in spring. But what about the water tap at home or at work?

In September, we raffled off 30 water tests for all taps in the neighbourhood to find out. In the meantime, the results are in. The good news: Water of impeccable quality flows from almost all taps. But we found one tap with abnormal values. At first, this result dampened our mood. After a moment's thought and three deep breaths in and out, however, we realised: "At least the family now knows about it and can take action" And they will. In a telephone conversation we discussed the steps that should now be taken and what they need to consider.

One of them involved doing another water test in the bathroom.
Since the family has a baby, they were also able to do this test free of charge.

Unfortunately, the water in the bathroom also had a noticeably high lead level. We advised the family not to drink or use their tap water for cooking for the time being. With immediate effect, they wanted to fill up a water canister at friends' houses. Buying bottled water was too expensive for them and harmful to the environment.

Of course, the neighbours also needed to know about this. The family rang all the doors over the next few days and informed their neighbours about their water test.
If there is an elevated lead level in the tap water, only one measure will help: Replace the leaded pipes and connectors. In an apartment building, the owner is obliged to do this. The family and their neighbour were lucky. Their property management immediately took care of the renovation and also found tradesmen. After almost two months, clean water finally bubbled out of the tap.

If you missed our water test raffle, you can of course still test your tap water. If a small child under 12 months or a pregnant woman lives in the household, Berliner Wasserbetriebe (Berlin Water Company or BWB) will test a tap for lead free of charge. For this purpose, a copy of the mother's passport or birth certificate should be enclosed with the order for the lead analysis. Click here for the application (in German). All others can, of course, also commission a lead analysis. There are many laboratories that offer this. Make sure it is an accredited laboratory. This means that the laboratory tests according to official standards.
If you want to order a water analysis, we advise you to test for the most common heavy metals. These are iron, copper, aluminium, lead, chromium, nickel and zinc.

Do you have any questions? Then get in touch with us at wasserkiez@atiptap.org.

]]><![CDATA[REFILL ACTION WEEK]]>Tue, 28 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMThttps://www.wasserkiez.de/blog/refill-action-weekRefill stations are the places that save you when your water bottle is empty. Because there you can have them refilled free of charge. In the Donau neighbourhood, for example, you can do this at BioCompany in Sonnenallee, at the QM office in Donaustraße or at the Trödelladen in Weichselstraße. In addition, many other places are also involved. You can find out exactly where they are on the refill map.

We think there can never be enough refill stations. At least not as long as not everyone is involved. That's why we're calling on you to join us in our search for new refill stations from 4 - 10 October. Just ask your favourite baker if they would also like to be involved. All stations get the blue refill sticker on the entrance door and are entered onto the map.

If you have found a new refill station or would like to become one yourself, get in touch with us. Then you will get the sticker from us. By the way, you can enter the station yourself. Without any registration. Click here for the instructions (in German).

]]><![CDATA[WATER BAR]]>Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:00:00 GMThttps://www.wasserkiez.de/blog/water-bar

"Do you want a glass of water?", this question can make you very happy on a hot summer day.
In the last few weeks, we have asked a lot of people this question and served almost as many glasses of tap water.
We were out and about in the neighbourhood with our water bike and set up our water station at various locations. Maybe you've already seen us at the Carnival for the Future, 48h Neukölln or in the neighbourhood garden in front of the QM office?

The great thing about our water station: People can quench their thirst without unnecessary bottled waste and CO2 emissions. And we were able to answer a lot of questions about that.
"Is Berlin's tap water really as good a quality as they say?" (Yes, more on this at bwb.de (in German))
"Do I need a water filter?" (No. Why not is explained in our Besserwasser (better water) video (with Turkish and English subtitles))
"My grandma lets the water run first thing in the morning before she drinks it. Is that necessary?" (We advise letting the water run until it is cold from the tap. Then it is fresh water from the waterworks and not the stale water from the building’s pipes).

Are you planning a campaign or event and want to serve tap water? We will be happy to advise you on the how to implement this. Just write us an email.

]]>