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Barrier tapes at BER
Photo: Anita Bugge / imago images / Future Image
Berlin Airport BER has a new problem - this time with the water.
During a routine test in the main terminal, coliform bacteria were found.
This was announced by the operating company.
The water in all sanitary facilities in Terminal 1 should not be used as drinking water until further notice.
The government terminal is also affected.
"The cause of the contamination is unclear," said the company.
The health department and the drinking water provider have been informed.
All lines would now be flushed.
That will take several days, said a spokesman.
Passengers are accordingly informed with announcements and information sheets.
Coliform bacteria occur both in the intestine and in nature.
The germs can cause gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea or vomiting.
In addition to the terminals, the Federal Police building and the ILA exhibition halls are also affected.
Call for help for the first anniversary
After several delays, BER opened on October 31, 2020.
If there were initially few passengers due to the Corona, the airport struggled with congestion and long queues at the beginning of the autumn holidays.
One year after the opening, airport boss Aletta von Massenbach recently warned in an interview with Berlin's »Tagesspiegel« about the dire situation of the capital's airport.
She asked the federal government for help, since the airport company's liquidity would only last "until the first quarter of 2022".
The Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Ministry of Finance have so far reacted cautiously to the request for possible financial aid.
atb / dpa