Biofilm, Algae and Oxidation in Kitchen Taps: Are They Dangerous?

Clean drinking water starts at the tap — why materials and hygiene matter

Taps — particularly kitchen taps — are among the most frequently used fixtures in our everyday lives. Several times a day, we draw water for cooking, coffee or tea, or simply to quench our thirst. Most of us naturally assume that the water coming out of the tap is clean and safe to drink. But is that always the case?

In Germany and across Europe, public drinking water is subject to very strict legal requirements. The quality of the water reaching our homes is generally good. Yet there is an often underestimated link between the waterworks and your glass: the plumbing inside the building and the tap itself.

Biofilm, algae and bacteria — a problem you may not see

Over time, biofilms and algae can develop in conventional water pipes and taps. These are microscopically thin layers of bacteria, algae and other microorganisms that accumulate on the internal surfaces of the tap. This process is particularly encouraged by slow-flowing water, as is typical of reverse-osmosis drinking water systems, rough surfaces on less corrosion-resistant metals, and materials that allow microbial growth.

What many people do not realise is that biofilms cannot be seen from the outside, yet they can affect water quality — both its taste and its hygiene.

Metal oxidation: an additional risk factor

Another crucial consideration is the material the tap is made from. Many taps on the market are made from chrome-plated brass or metal alloys. Inside the tap, these materials can oxidise and corrode. This can release tiny metal particles that not only contaminate the water but also create favourable conditions for biofilm and microbial growth.

In other words, even when drinking water from the public supply is of excellent quality, it can lose quality in the final few centimetres — inside the tap.

The solution: hygienic taps made from surgical-grade stainless steel

This is precisely where VIZIO comes in. Our taps are manufactured entirely from AISI 316L surgical-grade stainless steel — a material also used in medical technology and the food industry. This stainless steel has an exceptionally smooth surface, is highly resistant to corrosion and does not release substances into the water.

Its distinctive surface structure:

• Virtually eliminates oxidation
• Greatly reduces the adhesion of biofilm, algae and bacteria
• Improves drinking water hygiene over the long term

The result is water that stays as clean as the waterworks intended — without additional contamination from the tap.

Better hygiene, greater durability and a better drinking water experience

VIZIO taps stand for uncompromising quality, timeless design and the highest standards of hygiene. If you use drinking water every day, you should consider not only your water filter or where the water comes from, but also the component it ultimately flows out of.

Because clean drinking water does not end inside the pipe —
it starts with the right tap.