Drainage Application

Drainage Application - A drainage application is a request submitted to the relevant municipality or wastewater association for permission to connect a property to the public wastewater and sewer system. It is a prerequisite for obtaining a drainage permit and must generally be submitted before construction begins. The drainage application contains information about the property, the planned wastewater volumes, and the building’s drainage system.

When is a drainage application required?

A drainage application is required in the following situations:

• New construction: Every new building must be connected to the public sewer system; the application is part of the building permit documentation
• Renovation and expansion: A new or supplementary application is required for major renovations (e.g., additions, story additions, change of use)
• Initial connection: When a property is connected to the sewer system for the first time (e.g., in new development areas)
• Modification of the drainage system: When wastewater volumes or types change significantly (e.g., commercial development involving process water)

In Bavaria, the basis for this is the Water Rights Ordinance as well as the respective municipal drainage regulations.

Content and Procedure of the Application Process

A complete drainage application typically includes:

• Property details (address, parcel number, owner)
• Site plan showing property and building boundaries
• Drainage plan: Floor plans showing the location of sewer lines, manholes, and connections
• Calculation of wastewater volumes (sewage, stormwater)
• Information about the drainage system (separate system or combined system)
• Proof of pipe integrity (leak test, § 61 WHG)

Procedure:

1. Submission of the application to the responsible civil engineering office or wastewater association
2. Review by the authority (typically 4-8 weeks)
3. Issuance of the drainage permit with conditions
4. Execution of the service connection work by licensed specialized contractors
5. Acceptance of the system by the network operator

Drainage Application - Process and Responsibilities (Bavaria)

Step	Responsible	Duration	Result
Submission of application with plans	Owner / Architect	-	Received by authority
Review by civil engineering office / special-purpose association	Authority	4-8 weeks	Clarifications or approval
Issuance of drainage permit	Authority	Immediately after review	Notice with conditions
House connection work	Licensed specialist contractor	Depending on construction project	Connection established
Leak test (§ 61 WHG)	Certified company	1 day	Test report
Acceptance by network operator	Civil Engineering Office / Utility provider	1-2 weeks after completion	Connection approved

Separate system and combined system: What property owners need to know

When planning drainage, property owners must distinguish between two basic systems:

Combined system: Sewage and rainwater are carried together in a single sewer. This system is common in older urban areas but is increasingly being retrofitted due to the risk of overloading during heavy rainfall. In Nuremberg, combined systems still exist in many downtown areas.

Separate system: Sewage and rainwater are discharged through separate sewers. This allows rainwater to be infiltrated on-site or directed into retention basins. In new development areas, the separate system is now standard. With a separate system, it is important to check whether rainwater can be infiltrated on your own property (infiltration well, trough)-this saves on wastewater fees and reduces the load on the public sewer system.

The requirement to test private sewer lines for leaks under Section 61a of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Water Act or the corresponding Bavarian regulations is also becoming increasingly important: Leaky pipes can contaminate groundwater and must be repaired.

Practical Tip for Property Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In the city of Nuremberg, the drainage application must be submitted to the City of Nuremberg’s Civil Engineering Office (Wastewater Department). In the surrounding area, different special-purpose associations are responsible depending on the municipality-such as the Fürth Region Wastewater Association or the Knoblauchsland Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal Association.

We recommend that builders submit the drainage application early (at least 6-8 weeks before construction begins), as processing times vary and no connection work may be carried out without approval. Leak testing of private wastewater pipes is mandatory in Bavaria-have this performed by certified sewer rehabilitation companies. For older buildings in Nuremberg, a camera inspection of the existing house connections is recommended to assess the condition of the pipes before purchase. Damage to the connection pipe can be costly and is the responsibility of the property owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who submits the drainage application-the property owner or the architect?

The application is submitted by the property owner; however, in practice, it is often prepared and submitted by the commissioned architect or specialist planner. The owner must sign the application and is responsible to the authorities.

How long is a drainage permit valid?

A drainage permit is tied to the specific project and is generally valid indefinitely, provided that the building and the approved systems are not altered. A new permit must be obtained in the event of significant changes.

How much does it cost to connect to the public sewer system?

The costs consist of a connection fee (one-time, calculated based on area or labor) and ongoing wastewater fees. In Nuremberg, the connection fee is calculated according to the current fee schedule of the Civil Engineering Office. Additional costs are incurred for the service line and the final inspection.

When buying a property, do I need to check whether a sewer connection is available?

Absolutely. The existence of an approved connection to the public sewer system is a key criterion for the buildability and value of a property. We recommend obtaining written confirmation from the Civil Engineering Office prior to purchase that a connection exists or is legally secured. If no connection is available, significant costs may be incurred for the initial development.

Back to the Real Estate Glossary.