Precipitation water
Disposal of precipitation water
The water collected from precipitation from built-up or paved areas (precipitation water) is another component of wastewater in addition to wastewater.
According to the Water Resources Act (WHG), precipitation water should seep away or trickle away locally or be discharged into a surface water body without mixing with wastewater, provided that this does not conflict with water law or other public law regulations or water management concerns. It is therefore also exempt from the wastewater transfer obligation stipulated in the Saxon Water Act (Sächsisches Wassergesetz - SächsWG) if utilisation or local disposal is possible.
If the precipitation water is to be discharged into an above-ground body of water, this must be reported informally to the lower water authority and, if a new discharge point is to be constructed, a permit for the construction of a facility on the body of water must be applied for.
Infiltration of rainwater
The infiltration of precipitation water on the property where it occurs is possible without a permit under certain conditions, which are listed in the Permit Exemption Ordinance of the Free State of Saxony (ErlFreihVO).The relevant criteria regarding the requirements for exemption from the permit are summarised in a checklist and must be checked by the property owner on their own responsibility. If the requirements are not or only partially fulfilled, an application must be submitted for the discharge of rainwater into the groundwater.
Infiltration systems
The generally recognised rules of technology must always be observed for the construction and operation of infiltration systems. This requires not only the performance of a seepage test(data sheet and protocol), but also the appropriate dimensioning of the infiltration system in accordance with the DWA regulations, worksheet DWA-A 138.
Disposal of the rainwater through wide-area infiltration via the vegetated soil layer is not subject to authorisation in any case.
Please note the following information:
- Provisions in the development plan regarding rainwater management remain unaffected by the exemption from authorisation and
- Impairment of neighbouring properties must be ruled out in all cases.
Citizen information
Further information, including on the possibilities of infiltrating rainwater or discharging rainwater into surface waters, can be found here:
Information for citizens on dealing with rainwater from paved areas