Industrial wastewater

The discharge of industrial wastewater into the public sewer system (so-called indirect discharge) and into a water body (stream or groundwater, usually only cooling water) requires a water law approval or permit, depending on the area of origin. The areas of origin are defined in the Wastewater Ordinance – AbwV.

The most common so-called areas of origin in the Oberbergischer Kreis are

• mineral oil-containing wastewater according to Annex 49 of the AbwV (e.g., from commercial car washing),
   
• wastewater from cooling systems and water treatment according to Annex 31 of the AbwV,
   
• wastewater from waste recycling facilities (e.g., also scrap yards) according to Annex 27 of the AbwV, or
   
• wastewater from metal processing and treatment, such as galvanizing and painting plants, Annex 40 of the AbwV,
   
• amalgam-containing wastewater from dental practices, Annex 50 of the AbwV,
   
• wastewater from dry cleaning, Annex 52 of the AbwV.

The water authority issues, upon application, the necessary chargeable discharge permits and monitors compliance with the permit conditions.

The staff of the water authority is available for further questions. Contact can be made in person, in writing, or by phone.

Required Documents

Forms for the indirect discharger permit for wastewater from dry cleaning, metal processing, amalgam-containing, and mineral oil-containing wastewater are available (see "Downloads" in the right column of this page).

Costs

A fee is charged for the issuance of the permit.