Drinking water in Herford
5 supply zones — values can differ depending on the district. Below is the zone with the most documented parameters, the others collapsed underneath. To determine the exact match, look up the postcode.
How to read the share of the parametric value
Several samples per year: for chemical parameters the mean value is given, for microbiological ones the highest measured value. There the parametric value is zero — a single finding would disappear in the average, and it is precisely that finding which is the information. Which reference applies is stated in the last column of the table.
Brunnenstraße
Stadtwerke Herford GmbHAssigned via the water supplier — the exact supply zone boundary within the postcode is not yet linked.
These values are more than a year old. The most recent analysis the water supplier has published for this zone dates from 31/12/2024. We have no newer values — which is why we show the latest available ones rather than none at all. They say nothing about how the water has changed since then.
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 20,1 mg/l | 50 mg/l | 40 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Sulphate | 65,4 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 26 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Sodium | 70,5 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 35 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Show all recorded parameters (24 — most recent value per parameter)
Chemical parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | < 0,005 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Fluoride | 0,11 mg/l | 1.5 mg/l | 7 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Glyphosate | < 0,04 µg/l below limit of quantification | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Nitrate | 20,1 mg/l | 50 mg/l | 40 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Nitrite | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Uranium | 0,00054 mg/l | 10 µg/l | 5 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Indicator parameters (10)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Ammonium | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Chloride | 175 - 210 mg/l | 250 mg/l | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Conductivity (25 °C) | 1020 µS/cm | 2,790 µS/cm | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Iron | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Manganese | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Odour | ohne | für den Verbraucher annehmbar | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Sodium | 70,5 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 35 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Sulphate | 65,4 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 26 % | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Turbidity | < 0,1 FNU below limit of quantification | 1 NTU | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Further parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid capacity to pH 4.3 | 4,77 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Base capacity to pH 8.2 | 0,24 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Calcium | 107 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Carbonate hardness | 13,4 °dH | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Hardness range (WRMG) | 17 - 20 °dH | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Magnesium | 17,6 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
| Potassium | 4,5 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Brunnenstraße |
Values taken unchanged from the publications linked below — for each parameter the most recent recorded value. „—" in the parametric value column: no currently valid legal parametric value is stored in our database for this parameter; the parameter register with all parametric values is being expanded continuously.
Postcodes in this zone: 32049 , 32051 , 32052
Show 4 more supply zones
Herford-Süd
Stadtwerke Herford GmbHAssigned via the water supplier — the exact supply zone boundary within the postcode is not yet linked.
These values are more than a year old. The most recent analysis the water supplier has published for this zone dates from 31/12/2024. We have no newer values — which is why we show the latest available ones rather than none at all. They say nothing about how the water has changed since then.
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 2 - 12 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Sulphate | 58,4 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 23 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Sodium | 28,6 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 14 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Show all recorded parameters (24 — most recent value per parameter)
Chemical parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | < 0,005 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Fluoride | 0,28 mg/l | 1.5 mg/l | 19 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Glyphosate | < 0,04 µg/l below limit of quantification | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Nitrate | 2 - 12 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Nitrite | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Uranium | 0,00010 mg/l | 10 µg/l | 1 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Indicator parameters (10)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Ammonium | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Chloride | 33,4 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 13 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Conductivity (25 °C) | 686 µS/cm | 2,790 µS/cm | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Iron | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Manganese | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Odour | ohne | für den Verbraucher annehmbar | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Sodium | 28,6 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 14 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Sulphate | 58,4 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 23 % | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Turbidity | < 0,1 FNU below limit of quantification | 1 NTU | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Further parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid capacity to pH 4.3 | 5,4 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Base capacity to pH 8.2 | 0,43 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Calcium | 92,1 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Carbonate hardness | 13,5 °dH | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Hardness range (WRMG) | 16 - 19 °dH | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Magnesium | 16,2 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
| Potassium | 0,9 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Herford-Süd |
Values taken unchanged from the publications linked below — for each parameter the most recent recorded value. „—" in the parametric value column: no currently valid legal parametric value is stored in our database for this parameter; the parameter register with all parametric values is being expanded continuously.
Postcodes in this zone: 32049 , 32051 , 32052
Hiddenhausen
Stadtwerke Herford GmbHAssigned via the water supplier — the exact supply zone boundary within the postcode is not yet linked.
These values are more than a year old. The most recent analysis the water supplier has published for this zone dates from 31/12/2024. We have no newer values — which is why we show the latest available ones rather than none at all. They say nothing about how the water has changed since then.
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 8 - 15 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Sulphate | 180 - 220 mg/l | 250 mg/l | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Sodium | 18,6 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 9 % | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Show all recorded parameters (24 — most recent value per parameter)
Chemical parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | < 0,005 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Fluoride | 0,15 mg/l | 1.5 mg/l | 10 % | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Glyphosate | < 0,04 µg/l below limit of quantification | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Nitrate | 8 - 15 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Nitrite | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Uranium | 0,0022 mg/l | 10 µg/l | 22 % | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Indicator parameters (10)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Ammonium | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Chloride | 46,9 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 19 % | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Conductivity (25 °C) | 965 µS/cm | 2,790 µS/cm | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Iron | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Manganese | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Odour | ohne | für den Verbraucher annehmbar | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Sodium | 18,6 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 9 % | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Sulphate | 180 - 220 mg/l | 250 mg/l | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Turbidity | < 0,1 FNU below limit of quantification | 1 NTU | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Further parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid capacity to pH 4.3 | 4,47 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Base capacity to pH 8.2 | 0,43 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Calcium | 135 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Carbonate hardness | 12,4 °dH | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Hardness range (WRMG) | 21,5 - 26,9 °dH | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Magnesium | 40,8 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
| Potassium | 1,48 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Hiddenhausen |
Values taken unchanged from the publications linked below — for each parameter the most recent recorded value. „—" in the parametric value column: no currently valid legal parametric value is stored in our database for this parameter; the parameter register with all parametric values is being expanded continuously.
Postcodes in this zone: 32049 , 32051 , 32052
Spenge
Stadtwerke Herford GmbHAssigned via the water supplier — the exact supply zone boundary within the postcode is not yet linked.
These values are more than a year old. The most recent analysis the water supplier has published for this zone dates from 31/12/2024. We have no newer values — which is why we show the latest available ones rather than none at all. They say nothing about how the water has changed since then.
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 4 - 10 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Lead | < 0,001 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Sulphate | 24 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 10 % | Single value · Spenge |
| Sodium | 11,5 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 6 % | Single value · Spenge |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Show all recorded parameters (24 — most recent value per parameter)
Chemical parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | < 0,005 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Fluoride | < 0,1 mg/l below limit of quantification | 1.5 mg/l | < 7 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Glyphosate | < 0,05 µg/l below limit of quantification | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Lead | < 0,001 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Nitrate | 4 - 10 mg/l | 50 mg/l | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Nitrite | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Uranium | < 0,00029 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 3 % * | Single value · Spenge |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Indicator parameters (10)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Ammonium | < 0,05 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Chloride | 21 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 8 % | Single value · Spenge |
| Conductivity (25 °C) | 960 µS/cm | 2,790 µS/cm | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Iron | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Manganese | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Spenge |
| Odour | ohne | für den Verbraucher annehmbar | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Sodium | 11,5 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 6 % | Single value · Spenge |
| Sulphate | 24 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 10 % | Single value · Spenge |
| Turbidity | < 0,1 FNU below limit of quantification | 1 NTU | — | Single value · Spenge |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Further parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid capacity to pH 4.3 | 3,5 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Base capacity to pH 8.2 | 0,29 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Calcium | 75,8 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Carbonate hardness | 9,8 °dH | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Hardness range (WRMG) | 11 - 24 °dH | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Magnesium | 1,8 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
| Potassium | 1,2 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Spenge |
Values taken unchanged from the publications linked below — for each parameter the most recent recorded value. „—" in the parametric value column: no currently valid legal parametric value is stored in our database for this parameter; the parameter register with all parametric values is being expanded continuously.
Postcodes in this zone: 32049 , 32051 , 32052
Steinbeck
Stadtwerke Herford GmbHAssigned via the water supplier — the exact supply zone boundary within the postcode is not yet linked.
These values are more than a year old. The most recent analysis the water supplier has published for this zone dates from 31/12/2024. We have no newer values — which is why we show the latest available ones rather than none at all. They say nothing about how the water has changed since then.
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 37,4 mg/l | 50 mg/l | 75 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Sulphate | 65,6 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 26 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Sodium | 8,74 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 4 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Show all recorded parameters (24 — most recent value per parameter)
Chemical parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | < 0,005 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 10 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Fluoride | < 0,1 mg/l below limit of quantification | 1.5 mg/l | < 7 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Glyphosate | < 0,04 µg/l below limit of quantification | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Lead | < 0,002 mg/l below limit of quantification | 10 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Nitrate | 37,4 mg/l | 50 mg/l | 75 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Nitrite | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Uranium | 0,00050 mg/l | 10 µg/l | 5 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Indicator parameters (10)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Ammonium | < 0,02 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.5 mg/l | < 4 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Chloride | 20,6 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 8 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Conductivity (25 °C) | 620 µS/cm | 2,790 µS/cm | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Iron | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 0.2 mg/l | < 5 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Manganese | < 0,01 mg/l below limit of quantification | 50 µg/l | < 20 % * | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Odour | ohne | für den Verbraucher annehmbar | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Sodium | 8,74 mg/l | 200 mg/l | 4 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Sulphate | 65,6 mg/l | 250 mg/l | 26 % | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Turbidity | < 0,1 FNU below limit of quantification | 1 NTU | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
* Value below the limit of quantification: the actual share of the parametric value is not known; it lies somewhere below the stated upper bound. The marker shows where the limit of quantification of the measurement lies relative to the parametric value.
Further parameters (7)
| Parameter | Value | Parametric value | Share of the parametric value | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid capacity to pH 4.3 | 3,9 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Base capacity to pH 8.2 | 0,23 mmol/l | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Calcium | 69,8 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Carbonate hardness | 10,9 °dH | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Hardness range (WRMG) | 16,9 °dH | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Magnesium | 31,1 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
| Potassium | 1,12 mg/l | — | — | Single value · Steinbeck |
Values taken unchanged from the publications linked below — for each parameter the most recent recorded value. „—" in the parametric value column: no currently valid legal parametric value is stored in our database for this parameter; the parameter register with all parametric values is being expanded continuously.
Frequently asked questions about drinking water in Herford
- How hard is the water in Herford?
- Stadtwerke Herford GmbH publishes the hardness range 17 - 20 for the supply zone Brunnenstraße. The hardness range is a classification under the German Detergents and Cleaning Products Act (soft below 8,4 °dH, medium 8,4 to 14 °dH, hard above that) and not a quality verdict — it indicates how much calcium and magnesium is dissolved in the water. Basis: Juni 2024, retrieved on 11/07/2026.
- How much nitrate is in the drinking water in Herford?
- Stadtwerke Herford GmbH publishes a nitrate value of 20,1 mg/l for the supply zone Brunnenstraße. The statutory parametric value is 50 mg/l; the measured value represents 40 % of the parametric value. Basis: Juni 2024, retrieved on 11/07/2026.
- Who supplies the drinking water in Herford?
- Stadtwerke Herford GmbH. The values shown here come from the supply zone Brunnenstraße and apply to the water the supplier delivers. What happens between the building connection and the tap — in old lead pipes, for example — is not covered by these analyses; information on that is provided by owners, the health authority or an examination by an accredited laboratory.
General questions — how current the data is, limit of quantification, parametric values, who is behind this site — are answered under Questions & answers.