Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Apply for an exemption under water law for a wastewater collection pit in a water protection area

Is your property located in a water protection area and you would like to have a wastewater collection tank installed? Here you can find out how to obtain an exemption from the special requirements of the water protection area ordinance.

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Permission under water law - sewage sump

Detailed description

In water protection areas, particularly strict rules apply to prevent the contamination of groundwater and drinking water. Therefore, certain facilities – such as septic tanks – are prohibited in water protection areas. If you urgently require a septic tank, you can apply for an exemption from these special water regulations.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • Their project does not jeopardize the general protective purpose of the water protection area.
  • Reasons of public interest outweigh the interests of your project, or
  • Compliance with water protection regulations restricts your property rights in an unreasonable way.

Documents required

  • Information on the planned collection pit
  • Cadastral map extract or
  • Site plan showing the plant location

Please note

There are no special considerations.

Deadlines

You should submit your application to the relevant authority no later than 4 to 6 weeks before construction begins.

Procedure

  • You submit your application, along with any necessary supporting documents, to the responsible authority. You can use the provided online service for this purpose.
  • The responsible authority will review your application and may request missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible authority may involve other bodies in the review of your application and may conduct an on-site inspection.
  • The responsible authority will decide on your application and inform you of the decision in writing.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the scope of your project.

Fees

An administrative fee will be charged for processing your application. This fee is based on the administrative workload and time required to process the application.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 52 of the Water Resources Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__52.html


Sections 4-7 of the respective Hamburg water protection area ordinance

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Water 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 Resources Act-Wastewater Disposal Water protection areas Connection compulsory

Last updated: 06.02.2026