WHY DO WE HAVE TO TREAT
STORMWATER?

FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR WATERS

Even today, the water protection targets in Germany are far from being met.

Whereas in previous years, sewage treatment plants or agriculture were often the cause of water pollution, today it is rainwater discharges from polluted areas such as heavily loaded traffic areas, industrial areas, parking lots or even metal roofs.

The loads are very different and are divided into categories in the DWA worksheets, for example. Depending on the sensitivity of the water, the need for treatment is then derived. Discharges into groundwater are viewed more critically, as groundwater is our drinking water resource of tomorrow.

For large areas of several hectares, for example, centralized treatment systems such as rainwater clarifiers or retention soil filters can be used for stormwater treatment. Decentralized treatment plants have become established for smaller areas, inner-city areas with little parking space or hotspots of pollution, e.g. at traffic light intersections. Different process technologies are used depending on the substance or substance group.