Protecting our water bodies is an essential part of responsible storage, transport and environmental technology. Clean water not only forms the basis for sturdy ecosystems, but also for the safe use of natural resources in industry, commerce and local authorities. If contamination is prevented at an early stage, habitats are preserved and risks to people and the environment are reliably minimised. Effective water protection therefore focuses on the points where water-polluting substances are stored, transported or decanted – where safe systems and controlled processes are crucial.

The precautionary principle

Water is the most essential basis of life and cannot be replaced by anything else. This has always been the case, and any risk to it poses a threat to our future. For this reason, the so-called ‘principle of concern’ is enshrined in water management law. A legal expert once put it as follows: ‘There is cause for concern not only when damage is likely to occur, but also when the occurrence of damage is not improbable.’

Certifications 

Containers and buns intended for the storage of substances hazardous to water require, in accordance with the Water Resources Act (WHG), a certificate of suitability for use issued by the building authorities, e.g. a general construction inspection approval.

The correct collection volume

As a general rule, the bund must be able to hold at least 10 per cent of the total storage volume or accommodate the largest container size stored. The bund must be designed to accommodate whichever of these values is greater. A special rule applies in water protection areas:
here, it is necessary to ensure 100 per cent of the collection volume for the stored substances.

TIP: The de minimis limit under the AwSV does not apply to above-ground installations outside protected areas: 

For a total storage volume of < 220 litres of liquid substances hazardous to water, an approved bund is not required.

Below the de minimis threshold, there is no formal obligation to calculate a collection volume in accordance with the AwSV. Nevertheless, the general precautionary principle of the Water Resources Act (WHG § 62) applies. This means that, even in this case, drums or small containers must not be left unsecured on unprotected ground. This prevents any substances that leak out from contaminating the soil or groundwater – even if no formal containment system needs to be calculated.

HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONS ACCORDING TO AWSV

The following, amongst other things, depend on the hazard levels: reporting requirements, suitability assessments, documentation, operating instructions, the requirement to use specialist contractors, and inspection intervals.

Plant documentation

The operator must maintain system documentation for each system.

Inspection requirements

Checks must be carried out to ensure the system is leak-free and that the safety devices are in working order.

Information sheet 

e.g. on the handling of water-polluting substances; to be displayed near the plant.

Operating instructions

The operator must keep the following documents to hand: monitoring plan, maintenance plan, emergency plan, immediate measures for hazard prevention; and must instruct and document operational staff before they commence work and at least once a year.

Subject to notification

All installations subject to inspection must be notified at least 6 weeks in advance.

Inspection requirement

by experts prior to commissioning / following any significant modification.

Safety through WHG-certified contractors

Only specialist contractors who are subject to regular inspections by independent inspection bodies (e.g. TÜV, Dekra) are permitted to manufacture and install systems for the storage of water-polluting or flammable substances.

Activities requiring a specialist contractor:

• Installation
• Repair
• Cleaning
• Decommissioning