Burst pipe in Hildesheim: Drinking water supply for 6,400 households at risk!

Burst pipe in Hildesheim: Drinking water supply for 6,400 households at risk!

In Hildesheim, a water pipe burst that occurred on Monday, September 11, 2025, is causing unrest and limited drinking water supplies. Around 6,400 households in the districts of Achtum, Itzum and Ochtersum are affected by the problems. Repair work on the damaged pipe began on Thursday, September 14, 2025 and is aimed at fully restoring drinking water supply by the beginning of next week NDR reported.

In order to support the population in this critical situation, the city of Hildesheim and the municipal utility subsidiary EVI have set up drinking water collection points. These are located at three points: the Achtum fire station at Ringstrasse 35, the student dormitory in Itzum at Hansering 1b and the Ochtersum fire station at Konrad Adenauer Strasse 11. The opening times of the water distribution points are daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the Hildesheim fire department takes over the operation of the stations. Residents are encouraged to bring their own containers, but 20-liter jerry cans will also be provided, like this Hildesheimer Allgemeine listed in detail.

Water and wellness

Affected residents don't just have the option of collecting drinking water. Water supply is also offered in the form of free shower facilities in the Hildesheim water paradise. Depending on availability, people can use the showers at any time, although the sports pool is not always available. Further shower options can be found in the Ochtersum multifunctional house from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and in the Achtum fire station until September 14, 2025.

Particularly noteworthy is the regulation for washing cycles: residents can use laundromats free of charge and have a maximum of three washing cycles reimbursed against a receipt at the Almstor customer center until the end of September. This support may become an important part of emergency assistance in times of supply shortages.

Recommendations and precautions

The challenges posed by such pipe bursts are expected to increase due to climate change. Extreme events, such as heavy rain or dry periods, increase the pressure on the water supply infrastructure. In order to better deal with such situations, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has issued recommendations on the safety of drinking water supplies. These include detailed risk analyzes and emergency preparedness plans that help operators to be better prepared in crisis situations, according to the information Katrima.

These current events in Hildesheim are a reminder that even the best systems are susceptible to disruptions and should not be underestimated. All those affected can only hope that the repair work goes quickly and smoothly and that the drinking water supply is available again to the usual extent soon.