City of Völklingen – Press Release No. 151/2026 City of Völklingen promotes stormwater management The City of Völklingen can now offer its citizens funding within the framework of the state program "Aktion Wasserzeichen." With the municipal funding program for decentralized stormwater management, the city supports measures that retain rainwater on site instead of discharging it into the sewer system. This helps relieve the sewer system, protects the climate, and adapts to climate change.
What is funded?
Unsealing (conversion) of areas connected to the public sewer system into permeable or more permeable surfaces, Infiltration of non-harmfully contaminated stormwater, Installation of (retention) cisterns, soakaways, etc. for rainwater retention, Greening of roof surfaces, Separate discharge of non-harmfully contaminated stormwater into a surface water body.
The subsidy amount is up to 40 euros per square meter of area disconnected from the combined sewer or unsealed and is limited to a maximum of 6,000 euros.
If rainwater is infiltrated or retained on site instead of being routed via the combined sewer to the treatment plant, the amount of water that must be treated there in an energy-intensive manner decreases. This saves energy and CO₂. Greened
City of Völklingen, Department of Press and Public Relations New Town Hall | 66333 Völklingen Telephone 0049 (0) 6898 / 13-2217 | Fax Direct line 13-2007 E-Mail: presse@voelklingen.de | Web: www.voelklingen.de
roofs and unsealed, planted areas also bind carbon, counteract heating in the urban area, and reduce the cooling demand of buildings.
However, the greater leverage of the program lies in precaution against the tangible effects of climate change: cisterns, soakaways, and infiltration areas relieve the sewer system during heavy rain and thus reduce the risk of flooding for cellars, streets, and properties. At the same time, the water remains in the natural cycle and strengthens groundwater recharge, which is challenged by increasing dry periods.
"Every square meter of unsealed surface is a gain for our urban climate. We are pleased that we can now offer our citizens attractive funding for this," says Mayor Stephan Tautz.
Property owners or other entitled applicants can now submit a funding application to the City of Völklingen. The funding guidelines as well as the application documents are available at www.voelklingen.de/bauen-umwelt/foerderprogramme.
City of Völklingen, Department of Press and Public Relations New Town Hall | 66333 Völklingen Telephone 0049 (0) 6898 / 13-2217 | Fax Direct line 13-2007 E-Mail: presse@voelklingen.de | Web: www.voelklingen.de
