Erlaubnis für die Entnahme und das Ableiten von Wasser aus oberirdischen Gewässern in einem förmlichen Verfahren beantragen

If you wish to withdraw or discharge water from surface waters, you can apply for a permit under water law from the relevant water authority. In some cases, this can only be granted in a formal administrative procedure.

As a company or private individual, you can apply for a permit under water law to withdraw or discharge water from above-ground public waters, i.e. from rivers, lakes, canals, streams, ditches and ponds. The competent authority will examine your application and decide whether you can be granted permission.

Under certain circumstances, the authority may have to carry out a formal administrative procedure. This may be the case, for example, if the circumstances are particularly complex. Both affected third parties and you have the opportunity to comment on the project. For this purpose, the authority publishes the project and, if necessary, holds an oral hearing. If you want to withdraw water for public use, you do not need a permit under water law. This may be the case, for example, if you need to pump water to extinguish a fire.

You must provide the following information in your application:

• Purpose of the withdrawal or discharge
• Duration, type and quantity of the withdrawal

To enable the authority to assess your project and its impact, you must submit several documents with your application, for example an

• explanatory report,
• site plans and sketches of the pump system and transport systems.

Depending on the type of project, the documents requested can vary greatly and be very extensive. If in doubt, you should clarify in advance with the authority which documents are required in your case.

The permit specifies the type and extent of use. It may be linked to conditions and ancillary provisions. In contrast to an authorization, a permit can be revoked by the authorities.

The documents you need for your application vary depending on the type and scope of your project. In a preliminary discussion with the responsible water authority, you can clarify which documents are required in your case.

As a rule, several or all of the following documents are required:

• Explanatory report
• Sketches of the pump system and transport systems
• Overview site plan as a topographical map in which the existing or planned system is shown in color
• Current cadastral site plan in which the existing or planned system is shown in color
• Information on the type of installation
• schematic representation of the facility in plan and section
• accompanying nature conservation planning, including entry in the compensation area register for new facilities
• If applicable: Technical contribution to the Water Framework Directive

In individual cases, you must submit further documents on request.

• Your use does not endanger the water body or the public water supply.
• Your project does not fall under public use, for which you do not need to apply for a permit under water law. This is the case, for example, if you want to withdraw water to prevent a danger to public safety.

There is no statutory deadline. Apply for the permit in good time before starting your project.

There are no indications or special features.

Action before the administrative court

• Withdrawal and discharge of water from surface waters with formal administrative procedure Permit
• A permit under water law is required for the abstraction and discharge of water from surface waters
• in certain cases, for example in complex situations, a formal administrative procedure is required
• in a formal procedure, interested parties are given the opportunity to comment on the project, public announcement and possibly an oral hearing is required
• Surface waters: rivers, lakes, canals, streams, ditches and ponds
• Prerequisite: no damage to the water body or public water supply
• Necessary information: Information on the purpose of the abstraction or discharge as well as the duration, type and quantity of the abstraction
• Required documents, e.g. explanatory report, site plans and sketches of pumping system and transport systems
• Required documents depending on the type of project
• Ask the responsible authority for the necessary documents
• Permit specifies the type and extent of use, possibly linked to conditions and ancillary provisions
• Permit can be revoked
• Application is subject to a fee
• Responsible: lower water authority

Please contact the lower water authority responsible for your district or city.