Notification of handling and storage of substances hazardous to water

Course description

The water hazard classes (WGK) describe how hazardous a substance is for water and groundwater if it is released into the environment.

Examples of substances in WGK 1 (slightly hazardous to water):

• Lubricating greases based on mineral oil
• Antifreeze (ethylene glycol, diluted)
• Detergents (in low concentration)

Examples of WGK 2 substances (significantly hazardous to water):

• Diesel, extra light heating oil (EL)
• Engine oil
• Paints and varnishes
• Solvents (toluene, xylene)

Examples of substances in WGK 3 (highly hazardous to water):

• Petrol, waste oil
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons (for example: trichloroethene)
• Plant protection products, herbicides
• Acids and alkalis (concentrated, for example: sulphuric acid, caustic soda)

Prerequisites

Above-ground installations for liquid substances hazardous to water must be notified if their volume is

• greater than 100,000 litres (corresponds to 100 m³) for substances of water hazard class (WGK) 1
• greater than 1,000 litres (corresponds to 1 m³) for substances of water hazard class (WGK) 2
• greater than 220 litres (corresponds to 0.22 m³) for substances of water hazard class (WGK) 3

Required documents

You can either send the completed notification form with attachments as a PDF by e-mail or use the online service.