Guidelines for Grants for Water Management Projects (RZWas 2025)

Within the framework of the Guidelines for Grants for Water Management Projects (RZWas 2025), the Free State of Bavaria continuously funds projects that support the accession of municipalities or special-purpose associations to supra-regional water associations or joint municipal enterprises (gkU). The aim of this grant is to facilitate the effective consolidation of wastewater and water supply services and thereby strengthen environmental/nature conservation as well as energy efficiency and climate protection in the municipalities. The funding is provided as a one-time grant and rewards, on the one hand, the takeover of all facilities and tasks from the respective statutory area – including local sewer systems – by the receiving special-purpose association. On the other hand, the transfer of operational management to a special-purpose association or a gkU is subsidized to create synergies in local water management and to establish sustainable supply structures in the long term.

Eligible for funding are public institutions, interest groups, or other associations that operate municipal wastewater and water supply tasks and plan an accession or operational transfer. The receiving special-purpose association applies for the grant at the locally responsible water management office. Prerequisites include contractual proof of accession, reaching the hardship threshold for certain measures (Nos. 2.2.1 and 2.2.3), as well as the collection of contributions and fees by the special-purpose association. The funding amount is €40 per incorporated inhabitant (max. €100,000) for suppliers and disposers, and €20 per inhabitant (max. €50,000) for operational transfers to special-purpose associations or gkU. After submission of a usage confirmation, the grant can be claimed once annually. Applications can be submitted at any time through the responsible water management office.