cubic metres annually. The sources of public water supply are as follows: 65% from groundwater 9% from springs 5% from bank filtration, i.e. from wells close to rivers and lakes, drawing essentially surface water 20% from surface water Service quality Water supply in Germany is continuous, at good pressure, and drinking water quality is excellent, as evidenced by the universal compliance with the EU drinking water directive. Wastewater treatment is universal. 94 percent of municipal wastewater is treated according to the highest EU standards including nutrient elimination, a much higher percentage than in France (36 percent) or in England and Wales (39 percent). Consumer perceptions According to a 2007 national survey for the business association BDEW (BDEW customer barometer) 92% of customers were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of their drinking water. 82% were satisfied or very satisfied with the service provided by their drinking water provider. 79% were satisfied or very satisfied with the service provided by their wastewater utility. The survey also showed that customers significantly overestimate the price of water and wastewater services compared to the actual price. Human resources It is estimated that the total number of those directly employed in German water and sanitation utilities is far more than 100,000. Infrastructure The length of the drinking water network in Germany is estimated to be more than 500,000 km. The length of the sewer network in 2004 was estimated by the Federal Statistical Office to be 515,000 km, divided as follows: 238,000 km of combined sewers 171,000 km of sanitary sewers 106,000 km of stormwater sewers There were 9,994 wastewater treatment plants in Germany in 2004. Responsibility Service provision Public water supply and sanitation in Germany are responsibilities of municipalities, of which there were more than 12,000 in 2008. Smaller municipalities often associate in municipal associations to provide water and/or sanitation services. Municipalities or municipal associations in turn can delegate these responsibilities to municipal companies, private companies or public-private partnerships. There are about 6,400 public water service providers and about 6,900 sanitation service providers in Germany. With a few exceptions, water and sanitation services are typically provided by different entities in the same locality, with sanitation bills being collected by the water utility on behalf of the entity in charge of sanitation. Water supply Among the 1,266 larger water service providers about 15 percent are municipal utilities under public law (Eigenbetriebe); 16 percent are