Water supply; payment of water contributions

The local contribution and fee statutes to the water supply statutes (BGS / WAS) stipulate that property owners who have the opportunity to connect their property to a public water supply facility must generally pay (one-off) production contributions. They thus participate in the financing of this facility according to the solidarity principle (every owner in the facility area is required to contribute).

The amount of the contribution is often based on the size of the property and floor area; a certain contribution rate is payable per^m2 of such areas, which is specified in the BGS/WAS. However, it is also common to calculate the contribution based on the plot area and the floor area permitted for the plot under building law. The contribution rate is usually calculated on the basis of a so-called global calculation. In this calculation, all costs incurred are summarized and mathematically allocated to all existing and expected land and floor areas.

In the course of constructing such a public facility, municipalities also have the option of demanding so-called advance payments from the property owners prior to completion, e.g. in order to reduce the municipal borrowing required for the construction measures. Advance payments are offset against the final settlement (final construction contribution) after completion of construction.

It should also be noted that a municipality can also levy so-called improvement contributions after the initial construction of a facility if, for example, it has modernized or upgraded the long-standing facility.

Please contact your local authority for more information on the specific local regulations.

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