DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Book Legionella testing on time
German operators of larger hot-water systems with showers, outside one- or two-family houses, must have the water tested for Legionella at least every three years for commercial supply such as letting, and yearly for public supply (Section 31 TrinkwV). A missed test is an administrative offence (Section 72).
Under Germany's Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), the operator of a building water supply system must have the drinking water it supplies as part of a commercial or public activity tested for Legionella spec. through a systemic examination when three conditions are met: the water heating system has a storage or central flow-through water heater holding more than 400 litres, or more than 3 litres in at least one pipe between the heater and a tap (not counting circulation pipes); there are showers or other devices that turn drinking water into a spray; and the system is not in a one- or two-family house (Section 31(1) TrinkwV).
If the water is supplied commercially but not publicly, testing is required at least every three years; otherwise at least once a year (Section 31(2) no. 2). Commercial supply includes providing water as part of renting out property; public supply means providing it to an undefined, changing group of people (Section 2 nos. 8 and 9). The public health office may extend the yearly interval to up to three years if no problems were found in three consecutive years and the system and its operation are unchanged and demonstrably meet at least generally recognised engineering standards; this does not apply to facilities under Section 23(5) of the Infection Protection Act, care homes and other facilities with patients at higher risk of Legionella infection (Section 31(3)).
For a newly commissioned system, the first test is due three to twelve months after it is put into operation (Section 31(4)). Testing and sampling may only be done by approved testing laboratories (Section 39(1) and (3)).
At a glance
| Commercial supply (e.g. rented property) | At least every 3 years (Section 31(2) no. 2(a)) |
|---|---|
| Public supply | At least yearly; the public health office may set up to 3 years (Section 31(2) no. 2(b), (3)) |
| New system | First test 3 to 12 months after commissioning (Section 31(4)) |
| Who tests | Approved testing laboratory, including sampling (Section 39(1) and (3)) |
| Technical action value | Legionella spec. 100/100 ml (Annex 3, Part II) |
| Test report | Prepared without delay; original kept for at least 10 years (Section 44(1) and (3)) |
For mobile and temporary water supply systems, the public health office sets the frequency (Section 31(2) nos. 1 and 3).
Who is responsible?
The operator of the water supply system, meaning the business owner or other holder (Section 2 no. 3 TrinkwV). The operator appoints an approved laboratory and ensures by contract that the laboratory informs it without delay if the technical action value for Legionella is reached, and of its report to the public health office (Section 39(4) no. 2).
If the deadline passes
Administrative offences under Section 73(1a) no. 24 of the Infection Protection Act include, among others, intentionally or negligently failing to carry out a test under Section 31(1), or not carrying it out in time, and failing to keep the test report for at least ten years as required by Section 44(3) (Section 72(1) TrinkwV).
If the technical action value is reached
The laboratory reports this to the public health office without delay (Section 53(1)). The operator must, without delay, notify the public health office unless it has proof that the laboratory has already done so, investigate the causes including a site inspection, prepare a written risk assessment following the Federal Environment Agency's recommendation, and carry out the necessary measures. It reports the measures taken to the public health office, documents them and keeps the documentation available for ten years (Section 51(1), (3) and (4)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each building and enter the date by which the next Legionella test is due: three years for commercial supply, one year for public supply, unless the public health office has set something else.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
- The laboratory can upload its report through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person to each building, such as the property manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- Do landlords in Germany have to test for Legionella?
- Providing drinking water as part of renting out property is a commercial activity (Section 2 no. 8 TrinkwV). If the conditions in Section 31(1) are met, testing is required at least every three years. Systems in one- or two-family houses are not covered.
- Do I have to send the results to the public health office?
- Copies of reports on Legionella tests under Section 31(1) do not have to be sent (Section 44(2)). If the technical action value is reached, the reporting duties under Sections 51 and 53 apply.
- How long must I keep the results?
- The original report for at least ten years from the test (Section 44(3)).
- At what level must I act?
- From the technical action value of 100/100 ml for Legionella spec. (Annex 3, Part II); the duties under Section 51 then apply.
Sources
- Trinkwasserverordnung (TrinkwV) § 31 Untersuchungspflichten in Bezug auf Legionella spec.
- TrinkwV § 2 Begriffsbestimmungen
- TrinkwV § 39 Beauftragung einer zugelassenen Untersuchungsstelle
- TrinkwV § 44 Niederschrift über das Untersuchungsergebnis
- TrinkwV § 51 Handlungspflichten des Betreibers in Bezug auf Legionella spec.
- TrinkwV § 53 Anzeigepflicht und Meldepflicht der zugelassenen Untersuchungsstelle in Bezug auf Legionella spec.
- TrinkwV § 72 Ordnungswidrigkeiten
- TrinkwV Anlage 3 Indikatorparameter (Teil II: technischer Maßnahmenwert Legionella spec.)
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for legionella test of drinking water (Germany)
A ready template for legionella test of drinking water (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each legionella test of drinking water (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each legionella test of drinking water (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.