Benutzung eines Gewässers für Übungen, Erprobungen und Gefahrenabwehr anzeigen

If you need to use a body of water to avert a danger or if you want to carry out exercises to defend yourself or avert danger, then notify the authorities.

Normally, you need an official permit or authorization if you want to use water from bodies of water for your purposes.

This is not necessary if a current danger to public safety must be averted and the impending damage is more serious than the impairment of the water.

You must then inform the authorities.

Another exception concerns exercises and trials for the purposes of defense or the prevention of threats to public safety. Example: The German Armed Forces or the fire department would like to use water from lakes, rivers and other bodies of water for exercises.

You do not need a permit or authorization for these and similar purposes. However, you must report the use to the competent authority.

This use of bodies of water for training purposes may include

• Withdrawing water from a body of water,
• reintroducing water into a body of water by means of movable installations and
• introducing substances into a body of water.

• notification
• if applicable, a description of the measures taken to avert a present danger or the nature of the exercise or test
• In the case of exercises and tests, information on the quantity of water withdrawn or reintroduced or the type and quantity of substances introduced, if applicable

You can use a body of water without a permit or authorization if

• you have to avert a current danger to public safety and the impending damage outweighs the adverse changes to the water characteristics or
• this is done as part of exercises and tests for defense purposes or to avert dangers to public safety and no detrimental changes to the water characteristics are to be expected.

If you have to avert an imminent danger:

• You carry out the necessary measures using a body of water.
• You notify the authority of the measures taken.
• The authority examines the impact of the measure on the water body and, if necessary, initiates protective measures for the water body.
• The authority assesses whether the requirements for permit-free use have actually been met.
• If the requirements were not met, the authority will initiate administrative offence proceedings for unauthorized use of the water body.

If you wish to use a body of water as part of exercises or trials for defense or hazard prevention:

• Notify the authorities of the planned measures.
• The authority will check whether the planned measures meet the requirements for exemption from the permit.
• If the requirements are not met, the authority will inform you that you must apply for a permit or that the project will be prohibited.
• Otherwise, you can carry out the measure in the notified manner after a certain period of time has expired.

The specified deadline applies to exercises and trials, which must be notified in good time before they begin. Measures to avert a current danger must be reported to the authorities immediately.

Contradiction

• Notification of the use of a body of water for exercises, trials and hazard prevention Acceptance
• As a rule, the use of water bodies requires an official permit or authorization
• Exception 1: the use of water is necessary to avert a current danger to public safety, in which case the authorities must be informed immediately
• Exception 2: exercises and tests are to be carried out for the purpose of defense or to avert threats to public safety; the authority must be notified of the use of the water in good time before the start of the exercise or test
• Notification is subject to a fee; fees vary depending on the federal state
• Responsible: competent authority of the respective federal state

Please contact the lower water authority in the district office of the respective district or the city administration for independent cities.

Lower water authority, district office of the respective district or city administration for independent cities