Small wastewater treatment plant; transmission of the certificate of functionality

To ensure that small wastewater treatment plants are functioning properly, the correct operation and professional maintenance is regularly monitored on site by a private expert. The certificate is immediately sent to the responsible authority, which may order measures to be taken in the event of defects.

The commissioned private expert must be recognized by the Bavarian State Office for the Environment for the "Small sewage treatment plants and wastewater collection pits" area of recognition in accordance with the Ordinance on Private Experts in Water Management (see "Further links").

Functionality must be checked and certified every two years from the date of acceptance. If no defects are found, the period is extended to four years.

The private expert in water management charges the operator of the small wastewater treatment plant for his work. No further costs are incurred by the authority.

• Art. 60 para. 1 Bavarian Water Act (BayWG)

• Private experts in water management (PSW)

  Lists of recognized PSWs

• Ordinance on private experts in water management
• Working aids for private experts in water management

  Information for PSW

• Wastewater disposal from individual properties

  Information for the general public on the subject of small wastewater treatment plants

• Brochure "Wastewater treatment with small wastewater treatment plants - information on planning, construction and operation"
• Frequently asked questions and answers

  Information on small sewage treatment plants and wastewater collection pits

The certificate should be prepared digitally by a recognized private expert in water management (PSW) and transmitted to the competent authority using the online procedure.

• The online procedure may only be used by a recognized private expert in water management (PSW). The recognition number must be stated.
• The PSW must confirm that it has been commissioned by the operator.
• Upon dispatch, a data record is transmitted electronically to the competent authority for further processing in its own municipal software programs.
• A pdf file can also be generated and sent by the system.
• The PSW saves the contents transmitted via the online procedure as a summary (protocol as a file in pdf format) in its project file for documentation purposes. It also sends this file to the operator for its records in the operating log and, in the case of indirect dischargers, to the holder of the water rights.

There is neither a statutory processing deadline nor a formal requirement for the authority to complete the certificate. The authority will take action in the event of deficiencies.