A drinking water hose enables the hygienic transport of potable water. It is used in a variety of settings, from events to emergency supply, and is available in different materials, sizes, and with special coupling systems such as Storz and GEKA.
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What is a Drinking Water Hose?
A drinking water hose is a specially designed hose intended for the safe and hygienic transport of potable water. Unlike conventional hoses, it is made of materials that do not release harmful substances into the water, thus ensuring the quality and purity of the drinking water. Drinking water hoses comply with strict national and international standards and approvals to protect consumer health.
What are Drinking Water Hoses Used For?
Drinking water hoses are indispensable for the mobile and temporary supply of potable water and beverages. Their areas of application are diverse and include situations where a fixed water installation is not available or not practical. These include:
- Events: At public festivals, trade fairs, concerts, and other large events, they serve to safely supply water to visitors and catering businesses.
- Emergency Supply: In the event of disasters or failure of the regular water supply, they play a central role in municipal emergency water supply to provide the population with clean drinking water.
- Commercial Application: In dispensing systems, on construction sites, or in the food industry, they are used for the transport of water or other liquid foodstuffs where the highest hygiene requirements apply.
- Camping and Leisure: Also in the private sector, such as camping or in mobile leisure facilities, they ensure access to drinking water.
The main purpose of these hoses is to enable the transport of drinking water without contamination from the hose material. This is crucial to protect the health of consumers and ensure compliance with legal regulations.
Which Hoses are Suitable for Drinking Water?
The suitability of a hose for transporting drinking water largely depends on the materials used and their conformity with relevant standards and regulations. Unlike ordinary water hoses, drinking water hoses must be made of food-grade materials that do not release harmful substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, or other chemical compounds into the water flowing through them. This is crucial to maintain the purity and quality of the drinking water and to avoid health risks.
The most important criteria and approvals for drinking water hoses are:
KTW Recommendations (Plastics & Drinking Water)
This recommendation from the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) sets out the hygienic requirements for plastics and other organic materials that come into contact with drinking water. A KTW-compliant hose ensures that no undesirable substances enter the water.
DVGW Testing Basis
The German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) develops technical rules and testing bases for products in the gas and water sector. For drinking water hoses, the testing basis VP550 is particularly relevant, which defines specific requirements for hoses for drinking water installation.
FDA Conformity (Food and Drug Administration)
For products used internationally, conformity with the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is often also required, which also sets strict requirements for materials in food contact.
BfR Recommendations (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment)
The BfR issues recommendations for the health assessment of materials that come into contact with food, which is also relevant for drinking water hoses.
Commonly used materials for drinking water hoses are special plastics such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber (EPDM), and Polyethylene (PE). Each material has specific properties that make it suitable for certain applications:
PVC Hoses
They are often an economical choice and offer high flexibility, making them ideal for applications that require regular movement or adjustments.
EPDM Hoses
These hoses are known for their robustness and are often offered in spiral-reinforced and thick-walled versions, making them suitable for suction and pressure applications. They are also oil-resistant.
Polyethylene Hoses
Hoses made of polyethylene are characterized by increased dimensional stability and are particularly resistant.
The selection of the appropriate hose therefore depends on the specific requirements of the application, with compliance with the mentioned standards and the use of food-grade materials always having the highest priority.
What Different Drinking Water Hoses and Sizes are Available?
Drinking water hoses are available in a variety of designs that differ in material, construction, color, and dimensions to meet the most diverse requirements.
Material and Construction
The most common materials for drinking water hoses are PVC, EPDM, and polyethylene. These materials are often combined with specific reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of the hose:
• PVC Hoses: Offer a good balance between flexibility and economy. They are often available in transparent or colored versions and are well suited for applications where the hose needs to be frequently moved or adjusted.
• EPDM Hoses: Are more robust and resistant to abrasion and chemicals. They are often offered spiral-reinforced, which makes them usable as both suction and pressure hoses. Their thick-walled design contributes to longevity.
• Polyethylene Hoses: Are characterized by high dimensional stability and are particularly suitable for applications where the hose must maintain a fixed shape or is exposed to high pressure.
Some hoses are also equipped with increased dimensional stability or particularly low wall roughness, which allows for high pressure flow and minimizes the deposition of contaminants. Flexibility can vary depending on the type; some hoses are designed so that they can be easily laid even in confined spaces, with bending radii of only 90 mm.
Colors
Drinking water hoses are often available in specific colors, with blue and red being common options. This coloring can help visually distinguish them from other types of hoses and may also play a role in labeling in some applications.
Sizes and Specifications
The size of a drinking water hose is primarily determined by its inner diameter (ID), which is specified in millimeters (mm) or inches (“). Common inner diameters are, for example, 13 mm (approx. ½ inch) and 19 mm (approx. ¾ inch). The outer diameter (OD) is also relevant, especially when it comes to compatibility with couplings and connections.
Other Important Specifications
Wall Thickness: This influences the robustness and pressure resistance of the hose. Typical wall thicknesses are 3 mm or 3.5 mm.
- Maximum Operating Pressure: This value indicates the pressure the hose can withstand without damage. Values of 10 bar or 16 bar are common.
- Bending Radius: The minimum bending radius indicates how tightly the hose can be bent without kinking or being damaged. Smaller values (e.g., 90 mm) indicate higher flexibility.
- Roll Length: Hoses are offered in various roll lengths, for example, 40 meters.
- Nominal Size (NW): This is another specification for the size of hoses and pipelines, which indicates the approximate inner diameter in millimeters (e.g., NW 50).
The choice of the correct size and specification depends on the required flow rate, the system pressure, and the spatial conditions of the application.
Coupling Systems: Storz and GEKA
In addition to the hose dimensions themselves, the coupling systems used also play an important role, as they ensure the compatibility and secure connection of the hoses. Two common systems that are also used in the drinking water sector are Storz and GEKA couplings:
- Storz Couplings: These quick couplings are particularly robust and are often used in the fire department, but also for larger mobile water supplies. They are available in various sizes, which are marked by letters (e.g., C, B, A, F) or the nominal size diameter (e.g., 75 mm for Storz B). An important feature is the claw distance, which indicates the distance between the claws of the coupling and is crucial for compatibility. Storz couplings enable quick and secure connection of hoses, even under pressure.
- GEKA Couplings: GEKA couplings, often referred to as “GEKA plus,” are widely used quick couplings that are characterized by their simple handling. They are available in various designs (e.g., hose nozzle, external thread, internal thread) and for different hose inner diameters. For drinking water applications, there are special GEKA plus “KTW” couplings that comply with the Drinking Water Ordinance and are therefore approved for contact with drinking water. The claw distance of the GEKA plus couplings is typically 40 mm, which enables universal compatibility within the system. They are available for hose sizes from ½ inch to 1 inch (and beyond) and offer thermal resistance in a wide temperature range.
The choice of the coupling system depends on the application, the required flow rate, and the components already in place. Both systems offer a reliable and secure connection for drinking water hoses.
What Role Do Drinking Water Hoses Play in Connection with Mobile Heaters?
Mobile heating centers are increasingly being used for the temporary provision of hot water or service water. This is particularly relevant in the event of failures of the permanently installed heating system, during renovation work, on construction sites, at large events, or for the flexible supply of building complexes and tents. Modern mobile heating centers often have an integrated heating module for hot water or the option of connecting a separate additional module (so-called fresh water station), which enables the generation of service water in drinking water quality.
In this context, drinking water hoses take on a critical function: They establish the safe and hygienic connection between the mobile heating center and the tapping points for the treated drinking water.
Since this application often takes place under variable environmental conditions, including low temperatures, there are special solutions to ensure functionality and water quality. Heated drinking water hoses provide a remedy here. These hoses are equipped with an integrated heating cable that effectively prevents the water in the hose from freezing at temperatures below freezing point. This is particularly important to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water even in severe frost (down to -25 °C). Despite the heating function, these special hoses continue to comply with all relevant standards and approvals for drinking water hoses, such as DVGW approval and certification for food contact. They are also designed to be pressure-resistant and can safely transport higher water temperatures (e.g., up to 85 °C), which is essential for the distribution of heated drinking water.
In combination with mobile heaters, drinking water hoses thus enable a flexible, safe, and hygienic hot water supply in situations where a fixed infrastructure is not available or must be temporarily replaced.
References:
Sani-Flex.de. (seen on 10/17/2025). Trinkwasserschläuche.
Schlauchzentrale.de. (seen on 10/17/2025). Storz-Kupplungen.
Hug.de. (seen on 10/17/2025). Beheizte Schläuche.