Ponds and pond management
In addition to the watercourses, there are also around 700 ponds in the city. In addition to larger ponds such as the Schlossteich, the Rabenstein reservoir, the Pelzmühlenteich and the Herrenteich, there are also many smaller ponds. Almost all of these ponds were created artificially in the past.
The respective owners of the ponds are responsible for ensuring that the ponds do not pose a hazard. Accordingly, dams and outlet/overflow structures must be regularly inspected and maintained.
The Saxon Water Act (SächsWG), which has been in force since 8 August 2013, contains regulations on draining water[1]. The lower water authority must be notified of this.
Section 22 of the Saxon Water Act states the following:
"Unless otherwise specified by the competent water authority, impounded water may only be drained in such a way that no dangers or disadvantages can arise for others, the exercise of water utilisation rights isthe exercise of water utilisation rights and powers and the ecological functions of the watercourse are no more than unavoidably impaired and the maintenance of the watercourse is not made more difficult. The person authorised to drain a watercourse must notify the competent water authority in writing or electronically at least ten days in advance of the start and expected duration of the drainage. The deadline in sentence 2 does not apply to emergencies; in these cases, notification must be given immediately. The Saxon Fisheries Act remains unaffected."
Failure to notify or late notification constitutes an administrative offence that can be punished with a fine.
The notification obligation is intended to enable the water authorities to take any necessary measures to avert dangers or disadvantages for others and to ensure the exercise of water utilisation rights and the ecological functions of the watercourse. Notification of the planned discharge of water also provides the pond owner with legal certainty regarding the permissibility of their planned actions.