Einsichtnahme Wasserbuch

Saarland Water Act (SWG)

In accordance with §§ 122 to 125 of the Saarland Water Act (SWG), a water register is kept in which every citizen has access. The water book is kept as an official register. It contains important official decisions relating to water and is open to inspection by any citizen.

In particular, the following are entered in the water register

- Water and spring protection areas

- Floodplains

- authorizations under water law (permits, authorizations, old rights and powers) for the use of water bodies

- planning approvals and permits for the development of watercourses

- compulsory rights

Access to the water register must be requested. The digital application program is available for information concerning the territory of the Saarland.

• Name, address and contact details of the applicant

• If known, all information on the requested water right, e.g. holder of the right, subject of the right, etc.

• If not known, a description of the (possible) water right, e.g. water body affected, location of water use, type of water use.

Once the request for information has been received, it is checked whether information can be provided. If this is the case, it is checked in accordance with Section 125 (2) SWG whether the information contains information about a facility or method of operation to be kept secret. If this is the case, the information will only be provided if the rights holder agrees.

If no confidential operating equipment or operating methods are involved, information can be provided within one to two weeks. If the information would contain confidential operating equipment or operating methods, the processing time is one to three months.

There is the possibility of legal action

The water book is an official register. It contains important official decisions relating to bodies of water and is available for inspection by any citizen. Citizens can use the water book to find out about an existing right or enquire whether such a right to a body of water exists.