Keime im Wasser: 50 Euro Entschädigung – Meine Geschichte und was du tun kannst!
Hey Leute! Let's talk about something super frustrating: finding out your drinking water is contaminated – keime im Wasser – and only getting a measly 50 Euro compensation. Seriously? That happened to me, and let me tell you, it was a total rollercoaster of emotions. First, pure disgust. Then, anger. Finally, a whole lotta paperwork.
I'll tell you my story, but more importantly, I'll share what I learned so you don't have to go through the same crap.
The Great Water Contamination of 2023 (or so it felt)
It all started innocently enough. We were having a BBQ, right? Kids running around, burgers sizzling... the whole shebang. Then, my daughter, she's a little germophobe, complains about stomach cramps. "Ugh, Daddy, my tummy hurts!" I figured it was just too much candy or something.
The next day? It was everyone. My wife, me, even the dog seemed a little under the weather. We ended up calling the doctor. Turns out, a nasty little bug was going around – E. coli, I think it was. The doc strongly hinted at contaminated water.
The Investigation: Finding the Source of the Keime
Turns out, our local water supplier had a major problem. They admitted to a keime im Wasser incident. They claimed it was "isolated", but yeah, right. Lots of people in my neighborhood were sick, too. We were all reporting the same symptoms: gastrointestinal distress, stomach cramps, you name it.
I contacted the water company immediately. They were super apologetic. They sent out some kind of official letter and promised compensation – the big sum of 50 Euros!
50 Euro? Seriously? Fighting for Fair Compensation
Fifty Euros?! That's barely enough for a decent pizza, let alone compensation for a week of misery, doctor's visits, and lost workdays. I was livid! This wasn’t just about the money; it was about principle. It was about accountability.
Here's what I learned:
- Document EVERYTHING: Keep copies of all medical bills, lost work certificates (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung), and communication with the water company. Seriously, even screenshots of their emails.
- Find others: Reach out to your neighbours. Were they also affected? Collective action is much stronger. Maybe even consider contacting a lawyer to file a collective lawsuit. Fifty Euros times hundreds of people...that adds up!
- Know your rights: Research your consumer rights regarding contaminated water supplies. There might be regulations I didn’t know about, guaranteeing higher compensation. I should have done better research!
- Don't be afraid to escalate: If the water company isn't cooperative, consider reporting them to the appropriate authorities – the local Gesundheitsamt, for example. They might have better leverage than you.
The Aftermath: Lessons Learned (and a Slightly Better Outcome)
Eventually, after much back-and-forth, the water company increased our compensation. Not to what it should have been, mind you, but more than 50 Euros. It wasn't a win, but it was a lesson. The whole experience was a massive headache.
The moral of the story? Don't let water companies get away with keime im Wasser and inadequate compensation. Be proactive, document everything, and fight for what you deserve. And, perhaps most importantly, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy! You never know when you'll need it.