Tap water for babies and pregnant women — safe or not?

In Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and most of the EU, tap water is suitable for baby formula with two precautions:

1. Let the tap run 30–60 seconds until the water is noticeably cold — standing water in old pipes may have more lead or copper. 2. Use only cold water (hot dissolves more metals) and briefly boil it for formula until your baby is older than 6 months — this is hygiene advice, not a contamination warning.

Nitrates: in agricultural regions tap water can exceed 50 mg/L nitrate — risky for infants under 6 months (blue-baby syndrome). Request a report from your utility; if exceeded, use bottled water labelled 'suitable for infant food'.

Pregnant women: tap water is safe; avoid unboiled water when travelling in high-risk areas.

Sources: BfR FAQ Trinkwasser (2024); WHO GDWQ (2022).