Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Submit proof of tightness for wastewater systems

You must regularly prove the tightness of your wastewater system by submitting a leak test certificate.

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Submit proof of tightness for wastewater systems

Detailed description

As the owner of a property drainage system, you are responsible for ensuring that it is leak-proof. You must prepare proof of leak-proofness in accordance with the applicable deadlines and, if necessary, submit it to the responsible authority.



For newly constructed property drainage systems, you must have the leak tightness certificate drawn up before commissioning. You must submit the leak tightness certificate for new systems to the responsible authority.



If you have existing drainage systems on your property, you must have proof of tightness drawn up and kept. The responsible authority can request proof of tightness of the existing system from you at any time.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You are the owner of a property drainage system.
  • A recognized specialist company has inspected your property drainage system and confirmed its tightness in writing.

Documents required

  • Form "Form P" or another test certificate issued by a certified specialist company confirming the tightness of your property drainage system.
  • A drainage site plan showing the tested property drainage system.
    • All inspected sewage pipes and systems must be marked on the site plan.
    • The site plan is created by the certified specialist company that checks your system for leaks.

Please note

If the pipes only drain rainwater that has not been adversely altered and are not connected to a combined or waste water pipe, there is no obligation to test these pipes for leaks - unless these pipes are connected to certain systems or a fire water retention system. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly upon your request.

Deadlines

The following applies to new systems or system components: They must be proven to be leak-tight before they are put into operation.


For residential properties, you must re-prove their watertightness every 25 years.


The following applies to water protection areas: You must re-prove your watertightness every 10 years.


Further deadlines apply. Please see the "Links" section.

Procedure

  • You submit your proof of leak tightness to the responsible authority. An online service is available for this purpose.
  • If you use the online service, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
  • The responsible authority will examine the documents you have submitted.
  • If there are any uncertainties, the responsible authority will contact you with further questions. Otherwise, your evidence will be filed.

Processing time

Processing submitted leak tightness certificates at the responsible department can take several weeks.

Fees

Submitting the proof of leak tightness to the responsible authority is free of charge.

Legal remedies

No

Legal basis

§ 17b Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 of the Hamburg Wastewater Act


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-AbwGHAV1P17b

Forms and downloads

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Wastewater Management

We have a limited number of customer parking spaces. To reserve a parking space, please contact our receptionist by e-mail at zugang@bsw.hamburg.de or by telephone on +49 40 428 40 - 50 50. Our working hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m , Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Keywords: Water protection areas Proof of tightness Defects in private sewers - property drainage systems Property drainage-property drainage systems Sewage discharge Sewer pipes-property drainage systems Ground pipes-property drainage systems Line damage Leak test

Last updated: 20.01.2026