Samonik receives award for 25 years of clean water in Arnoldstein

Samonik receives award for 25 years of clean water in Arnoldstein

On October 3, 2025, a special event was celebrated in Arnoldstein: the award from Samonik for outstanding achievements in the maintenance and repair of drinking water systems. This event highlighted the importance of many years of expertise and commitment in drinking water supply. The ceremonial handover highlighted how important security of supply and protecting water quality are for the community. Samonik has established itself as a reliable guarantee for quality, safety and sustainability. The close collaboration with colleague Daniel Ottowitz is also recognized and underlines the teamwork in this important industry.

The drinking water supply in Germany is regulated by strict laws and regulations to ensure the hygiene and safety of the water. VDI 6023 Sheets 1-4 specifies detailed hygiene requirements for the planning, construction and operation of drinking water systems and supplements the existing technical regulations with important hygienic aspects. This guideline covers, among other things, the area behind the house connection up to the tapping point, which is crucial for the health of users. The German Gas and Water Association (DVGW) has published numerous worksheets, summarized in a package called W 551, which deal with topics such as fire extinguishing systems and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Hygiene and drinking water quality

Prevention of diseases plays a central role in drinking water hygiene. Hygiene, colloquially often equated with cleanliness, includes measures to avoid factors that are harmful to health. In the context of drinking water installations, it is essential that planning, construction and operation are designed in such a way that diseases caused by drinking water are excluded. The lessons learned from the 1892 cholera epidemic in Hamburg, which killed over 8,000 people, prompted the development of protective measures to avoid the risk of disease. Robert Koch's research revealed the connections between poorly treated drinking water, inadequate wastewater disposal and pathogens, which led to an accelerated expansion of water treatment plants.

The “Instructions for the establishment, operation and monitoring of public water supply systems” published in 1906 represent an important milestone in the history of drinking water hygiene. These guidelines were developed by the State Institute for Water, Soil, Air and the DVGW and form the basis for future developments in water treatment and distribution. The introduction of the multi-barrier system for raw water protection is considered a decisive step forward in dealing with the challenges of a growing population and urbanization.

The Technical Rules for Drinking Water Installations (TRWI), whose origins lie in DIN 1988, now regulate the planning, construction and maintenance of drinking water systems. It is important to note that most drinking water contamination is due to non-compliance with these technical requirements. The continuous training and commitment of professionals like Samonik and his team are therefore essential for the health of the population and the quality of drinking water in our society.