Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Apply for permission to discharge wastewater directly into water bodies

Do you want to discharge wastewater (sewage or rainwater) into a surface water body? Then you can apply for a water law permit.

Detailed description

If you want to discharge wastewater (sewage or rainwater) into a surface water body, you usually need a water law permit from the responsible authority.

  • Wastewater is water whose properties have been altered by domestic, commercial, agricultural or other use, and the water that flows away with it during dry weather.
  • Rainwater is the water collected from precipitation (rain or snow) that runs off from built-up or paved areas.
  • Surface waters include rivers, lakes, canals, streams, ditches and ponds.

The permit specifies the type and extent of use. It may be subject to additional conditions. Unlike a permit, a permit can be revoked by the authorities.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • The harmfulness of the wastewater is kept as low as possible given the state of the art.
  • The discharge is compatible with the requirements regarding water characteristics and other legal requirements.
  • Where necessary, facilities or other installations will be constructed and operated to meet these requirements.

Documents required

Which documents you need for your application varies depending on the type and scope of your project. In a preliminary discussion with the responsible authority, you can clarify which documents are required in your case. These are usually the following documents:

  • Application form
  • explanatory report
  • site plan (scale 1:5,000)
  • Extract from the property map (scale 1:1,000)
  • extract from the land register
  • Proof that infiltration is not possible on site
  • Property drainage plan (according to DIN 1986-100: 2016-12, including discharge points)
  • detailed plan of the discharge point

Optionally, the following additional documents may be required:

  • Power of attorney for applicant (if not permit holder)
  • consent of other affected property owners
  • data sheet throttle
  • Detailed plan (with sections) throttle
  • Information, representation and calculation of the required rain retention facility (including flood proof and KOSTRA rain data used)
  • Assessment of the pollution of rainwater and the need for treatment (according to DWA-A 102-2)
  • analysis results

Please note

Before submitting your application, you should contact the relevant authority to find out about the specific requirements.

Deadlines

There is no statutory deadline. It is advisable that you apply for permission early, usually at least three months before the start of your project. For more complex projects, it makes sense to apply earlier.

Procedure

  • You submit your application together with the necessary documents.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible body will examine your application from a water management and water law perspective and, if necessary, involve other bodies.
  • You will receive a permission or rejection notice.
  • You will receive a fee notice.

Processing time

You must expect processing to take up to 3 months. In individual cases, processing may take longer.

Fees

For the discharge of wastewater, a fee is charged according to the Surface Water Fees Ordinance (OGewGebO), which is based on the effort required for processing.


If an application is submitted and no action is taken, an administration fee will be charged in accordance with the Environmental Fees Ordinance (UmwGebO), which is based on the effort required for processing.

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

§ 8 Paragraph 1 of the Water Resources Act (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__8.html


§ 9 Paragraph 1 Number 4 of the Water Resources Act (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__9.html


§ 13 Law on the Regulation of Water Resources (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__13.html


§ 18 Paragraph 1 of the Water Resources Act (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__18.html


§ 54 Law on the Regulation of Water Resources (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__54.html


§ 57 Law on the Regulation of Water Resources (Water Resources Act - WHG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__57.html

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 law permits - surface waters

Last updated: 06.02.2026