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Obtain a permit for a rainwater harvesting system

Permit or notification for a rainwater harvesting system (cistern) with the local water authority.

Wo wohnen Sie?

Damit wir Obtain a permit for a rainwater harvesting system mit dem zuständigen Untere Wasserbehörde in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

Oder Großstadt wählen:

Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Obtain a permit for a rainwater harvesting system.

Processing: approx. 2 weeksSuccess rate: 90.0 %
Last reviewed: August 08, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Identification card or passport · Form / Application

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    In person or by post at the office

  4. 4

    Costs

    Kostenlos bis 150 € je nach Leistung

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Report the facility to the Lower Water Authority

    In most states, a notification is sufficient; no permit is required.

  2. 2

    Check technical requirements

    Separation of drinking water, backflow prevention, and pipe labeling.

  3. 3

    Operation of the system

    Upon receipt of the report and, if necessary, confirmation from the authorities.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Homeowners who want to use rainwater for flushing toilets, watering their gardens, or running their washing machines.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 weeks

Success rate

approx. 90.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • System commissioned without a display
  • No backflow prevention

Common reasons for rejection

  • Lack of separation between the drinking water and stormwater systems

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.

Questions & Answers

How much does it cost to get a rainwater harvesting system approved?

Free up to €150, depending on the service.

How long does it take to get a rainwater harvesting system approved?

Typically about 14 business days—depending on the agency and its workload.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
BMWSB
Data quality
100 %

Read more

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