All About Wastewater
Water becomes wastewater when it is used and, as a result, becomes contaminated. This happens, for example, in households, but also in commercial settings and in agriculture. Rainwater collected from roofs or other paved surfaces is also considered wastewater. Wastewater often must undergo various treatment processes before it is discharged into a body of water.
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Local governments operate sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater and stormwater are thus collected, discharged, and treated. These regulations are set forth in the Hessian Water Act (HWG). The wastewater treatment plants are operated by cities, municipalities, or associations. This provides long-term protection for the environment and water bodies and safeguards the health of people and animals.
To discharge treated wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant, the city, municipality, or association must obtain a permit under water law (Section 8 of the Federal Water Act (WHG)). This permit must be applied for with the lower water authority. The scope of the application documents can be found in the information sheet “Water Law Approval Procedures for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Wastewater Discharges in Hesse.”
Private small-scale wastewater treatment systems and closed-system septic tanks
Some buildings are not connected to a public sewer system. In such cases, a private wastewater treatment system or septic tank is required. The owner is then responsible for treating the wastewater.
To discharge treated wastewater from a small wastewater treatment plant, the owner must obtain a permit under water law (Section 8 of the Water Resources Act (WHG)). This permit must be applied for at the local water authority. The “Small-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plant Application” form can be used for this purpose.
If untreated wastewater is collected in a closed-system collection pit, the owner must report this to the water authority. The “Notification of Closed-System Collection Pit” form can be used for this purpose.
The water from the collection pits and the excess sludge from small-scale wastewater treatment plants must be transported to the nearest municipal wastewater treatment plant. They must not be spread on fields together with agricultural fertilizer.
Small-Scale Wastewater Treatment Systems: Specialized Contractors
If you are looking for a qualified contractor, please feel free to contact the Lower Water Authority.
Industrial wastewater
The Lower Water Authority establishes rules for businesses that discharge their non-domestic wastewater into the public sewer system. This is called an indirect discharge. These rules are intended to prevent damage to the wastewater system or pollution of the environment.
Wastewater is classified into specific groups based on the type of operation. The Wastewater Ordinance sets forth specific requirements for each of these groups.
The Lower Water Authority enforces the provisions of the Indirect Discharge Regulation as follows:
- Appendix 49 (Wastewater Containing Mineral Oil),
- Appendix 50 (Wastewater from Dental Practices) and
- Appendix 52 (Wastewater from Dry Cleaners)
The requirements for filing a report, as well as the reporting forms and operator obligations under the Indirect Discharge Regulation (IndV), are available for download in an accessible format on the HMLU website under the "Indirect Discharge Regulation" section.
Managing Stormwater
Rainwater that runs off roofs and paved surfaces is wastewater. It is better to direct clean rainwater directly into a body of water or allow it to seep into the ground than to discharge it into the sewer system. It is important to ensure that no harmful substances enter the water or the environment.
To discharge uncontaminated stormwater, the property owner must obtain a permit under water law (Section 8 of the Water Resources Act [WHG]). This permit must be applied for at the local water authority.
If the land belongs to the municipality, the scope of the application documents can be found in the information sheet titled “Water Law Approval Procedures for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Wastewater Discharges in Hesse.”
If the property belongs to a private individual, the “Application for Stormwater Discharge” form may be used.Private Pools and Swimming Pools
Filling
A private pool is filled using the home’s own fresh water connection. The water thus flows through the home’s water meter. Important: Fresh water for filling the pool must not be drawn through the garden water meter; this meter is intended exclusively for watering the garden.
Note: Filling pools is not part of the fire department’s responsibilities.Dispose of
Fresh pool water is typically treated chemically, for example with chlorine, algaecides, pH reducers or increasers, or using the active oxygen method. As a result, it is considered wastewater. But even without chemical treatment, the water is altered simply through use—for example, by sand, sunscreen, sweat, and bodily fluids. This results in specific requirements for its disposal.
As a general rule, wastewater must be delivered to the municipality (local government or wastewater association) responsible for its disposal, which will then dispose of the wastewater for a fee. The swimming pool’s wastewater must be discharged into the public sewer system using a commercially available pump. The cost of the fresh water supply already includes the applicable wastewater fees.
Permission from the local water authority is required for the infiltration or direct discharge of swimming pool water into a body of water. As a general rule, however, a permit for infiltration or direct discharge cannot be granted without prior treatment of the wastewater. Since this treatment is very costly, it is not recommended.