Water Usage Permit

Businesses that use water bodies (extracting groundwater, discharging wastewater, damming or diverting surface water, or using geothermal energy from groundwater) need a water usage permit (wasserrechtliche Erlaubnis) under the Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz, WHG). This particularly affects manufacturers, car washes, breweries, and construction firms that need to dewater excavation sites.

You apply at the lower water authority (untere Wasserbehörde), typically at the district administration. The authority assesses the impact of your water use on the water body, ecosystems, and other users. An enhanced permit (gehobene Erlaubnis) may be issued if there is a public interest or a justified need. The standard permit can be revoked, while the enhanced version offers greater legal certainty. Permits are usually time-limited.