Installations for handling substances hazardous to water (e.g. the storage of heating oil, petrol, liquid manure) represent a source of danger for water and soil due to the potential risk.

Anyone wishing to install, set up, operate, decommission or recommission facilities for handling substances hazardous to water within the meaning of Section 62 of the Water Resources Act (WHG) must notify the authorities of their project in good time before commencing the measure. Significant changes to the operation are also subject to notification.

If the project requires approval under other public law regulations (e.g. approval under the Federal Immission Control Act), notification under the AwSV is not required.