Funding for Small Wastewater Treatment Plants

This guideline supports property owners, leaseholders, and municipal wastewater disposal authorities in the Free State of Thuringia with investments in small wastewater treatment plants. The program aims to improve water protection and increase the proportion of modern wastewater treatment facilities.

The program funds investments in the new construction, replacement, and retrofitting of small wastewater treatment plants for domestic wastewater, as well as the construction of wastewater sewers in public spaces for group small wastewater treatment plants. Additionally, advisory and organizational services provided by municipal authorities are supported.

Funding is provided in the form of non-repayable grants or low-interest loans. The amount of grants depends on the type of measure and the number of inhabitant equivalents, while loans have fixed conditions.

The funding for small wastewater treatment plants is subject to specific legal, technical, and organizational requirements. These include the permanent non-connection to public sewers, compliance with technical standards, water permits, and proof of regular maintenance. Furthermore, specific De Minimis regulations must be observed.

The application procedure for funding small wastewater treatment plants in Thuringia is multi-stage and includes an annual announcement by municipal authorities, an examination of applications at the municipal level, and forwarding to the Thuringian Reconstruction Bank. The approval and disbursement of funding take place after the completion of the plant.

The funding for small wastewater treatment plants in Thuringia is based on a specific guideline from the Thuringian Ministry for Environment, Energy and Nature Conservation. This guideline is supplemented by further state and federal legal provisions, as well as by an EU regulation on De Minimis aid.