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4
GERMAN ATV RULES AND STANDARDS
W A S T E W A T E R - W A S T E

ATV-STANDARD
ATV-A 105E

Selection of the Drainage System

December 1997
ISBN 3-934984-01-0

Marketing:
Gesellschaft zur Förderung der
Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA)
Theodor-Heuß-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef
Postfach 11 65 . 53758 Hennef
 ATV-A 105E
This ATV Standard has been elaborated by the ad hoc Working Group "Drainage
Systems" within the ATV Specialist Committee 1.2. "Planning of Drainage Systems",

The ad hoc Working group has the following members:

Dipl.-Ing. Riedl, München (Chairman)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Brunner, Karlsruhe
Dipl.-Ing. Dippold, Germering
Dipl.-Ing. Hoffmann, Pirmasens
Dipl.-Ing. G. Niedrée, Bonn (as guest)
Dr.-Ing. Krejci, Dübendorf/Switzerland
Dipl.-Ing. Stumwöhrer, Wien, Austria
Dipl.-Ing. Spellier, Stuttgart

Guests:

Dipl.-Ing. Belting, Düsseldorf

Dipl.-Ing. Lohaus, Hennef

All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Standard may be
reproduced in any form by photocopy, microfilm or any other process or transferred or translated into a language
usable in machines, in particular data processing machines, without the written approval of the publisher.

 Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA), Hennef 1997

Original German edition produced by: JF•CARTHAUS GmbH & Co, Bonn

Contents Page

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 ATV-A 105E
Notes for users 4

Foreword 4

1 Area of application 4

2 Definitions 5
2.1 Combined systems 5
2.1.1 Modified combined system 5
2.2 Separate system 5
2.2.1 Modified separate system 8

3 Criteria for the selection of the drainage system 8

3.1 Principles 8
3.2 Local conditions 8
3.3 Technical aspects 9
3.4 Cost aspects 11
3.5 Planning, construction and operation 11

4 Modified drainage systems 12

4.1 Separate discharge of precipitation water 12
4.2 Decentralised and semi-centralised percolation of precipitation water 12
4.3 Central percolation 13
4.4 Use of precipitation water 13

5 Requirements on private property drainage 14

6 Relevant regulations, literature 14

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 ATV-A 105E
Notes for Users
This ATV Standard is the result of honorary, technical-scientific/economic collaboration
which has been achieved in accordance with the principles applicable for this (statutes,
rules of procedure of the ATV and ATV Standard ATV-A 400). For this, according to
precedents, there exists an actual presumption that it is textually and technically correct
and also generally recognised.
The application of this Standard is open to everyone. However, an obligation for
application can arise from legal or administrative regulations, a contract or other legal
reason.
This Standard is an important, however, not the sole source of information for correct
solutions. With its application no one avoids responsibility for his own action or for the
correct application in specific cases; this applies in particular for the correct handling of
the margins described in the Standard.

Foreword
With point sources of loading on lakes and rivers it is primarily the discharges of
wastewater of the drainage areas. Decisive for an effective water pollution control is
which portion of the carried pollutant load from discharged wastewater, stormwater or
combined water can be dealt with by treatment measures. Therefore it is not alone the
efficiency of the sewage treatment plant but also the conception of the sewerage system
with its stormwater overflows and stormwater treatment facilities which is relevant for
keeping lakes and rivers clean.

The specification for the elaboration of ATV Standard ATV-A 128 "Standards for the
Dimensioning and Design of Stormwater Structures in Combined Sewers" (Edition 4/92)
was, that the COD loading of the lake or river due to stormwater overflow facilities from
combined sewer systems corresponds with that of the inflow of stormwater from separate
systems. With the application of ATV-A 128 one can therefore assume a water
management equivalence of separate ands combined systems. With the elaboration of
ATV Standard ATV-A 105 (January 1983) one could not yet assume this equivalence.,
so that the previous standard gave the water quality management aspects a wide scope.

In the meantime, in addition to traditional separate and combined systems, modified

systems are gaining in significance. This is primarily due to the fact that most sewer
systems in Germany have already been established and, therefore, the current main task
lies in expanding, renovating and renewing the existing sewer systems. These aspects
were to be taken into account in this current new edition.

The revised ATV Standard indicates which aspects are to be taken into account with the
selection of the drainage system. In some Federal German States there are, in addition,
legal specifications which are to have priority.

1 Area of Application
This Standard applies for the planning of drainage systems in which wastewater and
precipitation water are disposed of [1]. It applies for new planning and expansion of
drainage systems as well as for the renewal or renovation of existing systems, mainly in
urban areas. The special aspects of rurally structured areas are dealt with in ATV
Standard ATV-A 200.

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 ATV-A 105E
The aim of the Standard is to facilitate achieving an objective decision for the selection of
a drainage system by using a series of criteria. With this an as comprehensive as
possible water pollution control is to be achieved at reasonable cost.

The notes and decision criteria in this Standard can be of a general nature only. It is
incumbent on the diligence of the planner to elaborate an appropriate drainage concept
for the protection of lakes and rivers, the soil and the groundwater which is optimised for
the operator.

2 Definitions
Below are terms used for precipitation water both requiring and not requiring treatment.
The limitation is based on the principle of not discharging any water to a sewage
treatment plant whose degree of pollution is less than that required in the effluent of the
sewage treatment plant.

Not requiring treatment are, as a rule, runoffs from roof and courtyard surfaces as well as
runoffs from residential roads and footpaths.

With streets, parking lots and commercially used hard standing areas an individual
examination is necessary which, above all, is based on the usage, traffic loading and
how often the parking lots are frequented.

2.1 Combined System

In the combined system domestic and commercial wastewater and the precipitation
water are discharged together in one sewer, the combined sewer. Due to the limited
performance capacity of the sewage treatment plant and in order to limit the sewer cross-
section for technical and economic requirements, stormwater overflows or stormwater
retention facilities are installed at suitable points in the combined system. Unpolluted
water - such as runoffs from external areas, land drainage water, springs, wells etc. may
not be discharged into the combined sewer.

2.1.1 Modified Combined System

The modified combined system is a variant of the combined system. Only domestic and
trade effluent as well as precipitation water requiring treatment are fed to the combined
sewer; this combined wastewater is discharged and treated. The precipitation water not
requiring treatment is discharged directly into a lake or river or precipitated in situ after
removal.

2.2 Separate System

In the separate system domestic wastewater and trade effluent are discharged in the
normal sewer and precipitation water in the stormwater sewer. While the wastewater is
fed to the sewage treatment plant and is treated there, the precipitation water can be
discharged into natural or artificial bodies of water. The discharge of nonpolluted water
such as spring, well, cooling or land drainage water into the stormwater sewer can lead
to high costs with a possibly necessary stormwater treatment. Information on stormwater
treatment in a separate system can be found in the ATV Report "Recommendations for
treatment when handling stormwater" [12].

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 ATV-A 105E

Discharge from sewered areas

Runoff from
Qs Qr external areas,
land drainage
water, springs
Domestic and Precipitation water Precipitation water and wells etc.
commercial requiring treatment not requiring
wastewater treatment

Combined water
Comb. treatment and Sewage treatment
Sewer retention plant

Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers

Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of combined system drainage

Discharge from sewered areas

Runoff from
external areas,
Qs Qr land drainage
water, springs
Domestic and Precipitation water Precipitation water and wells etc.
commercial requiring treatment not requiring
wastewater treatment

Retention,
Combined water percolation,
Sewage
Comb. treatment and
treatment discharge,
Sewer retention utilisation
plant

Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers

Fig. 2: Schematic diagram of modified combined system drainage

Discharge from sewered areas

Runoff from
external areas,
Qs Qr land drainage
water, springs
and wells etc.
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Domestic and trade Precipitation water Precipitation water

effluent requiring treatment not requiring
treatment

Retention,
Sewage percolation,
Normal treatment discharge, StormW
sewer plant utilisation drain

Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers

Fig. 3: Schematic diagram of separate system drainage

Discharge from sewered areas

Runoff from
external areas,
Qs Qr land drainage
water, springs
Domestic and trade Precipitation water Precipitation water and wells etc.
effluent requiring treatment not requiring
treatment

Stormwater Retention,
Sewage
treatment and percolation,
Normal treatment StormW
retention discharge,
sewer plant drain utilisation

Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers~~~~~~Lakes~~~~~~Rivers

Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of modified separate system drainage

2.2.1 Modified Separate System

With the modified separate system domestic wastewater and trade effluent are fed to the
normal sewer. Precipitation water not requiring treatment is percolated or discharged into
a surface body of water immediately at source or after diversion.

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 ATV-A 105E
Insofar as precipitation water requiring treatment cannot be avoided, this is fed in a
stormwater drain to a stormwater treatment facility. Information on the treatment of
stormwater can be found in the ATV Report "Recommendations for treatment when
handling stormwater" [12].

3 Criteria for the Selection of Drainage Systems

3.1 Principles

The objective of municipal drainage have changed significantly in recent years. As a rule
in the past the total precipitation runoff from built up areas has been discharged as
completely and as rapidly as possible.

The water management objective today is, as far as possible, to percolate or to

discharge directly to a surface body of water, precipitation water not requiring treatment.
Wastewater and precipitation water requiring treatment are to be removed and treated.

If necessary, the discharge of precipitation water is to be delayed and throttled using

suitable measures (retention combined system, retention separate system). Both
combined systems as well as separate systems have advantages and disadvantages
Separate and combined systems are to be assessed, from a water quality management
aspect, as being equal (see ATV Standard ATV-A 128 [2])

The selection of the drainage system is to take place within the scope of initial planning.
Here the drainage system and sewage treatment plant are to matched to each other. The
results of individual planning tasks, including costs and time sequence, should be
summarised as negotiation concepts. In some German Federal States they comply with
legally laid down wastewater disposal concepts and/or plans.

The selection and effects of the respective drainage system are to be integrated early in
the project management planning. The drainage and charges bylaws are to be matched
to the solution for the drainage system (hard surface area, stormwater utilisation,
separate scales of charges).

3.2 Local Conditions

The planning of a sewer system depends on the topography, the type of buildings to be
connected, the existing and future discharges from the catchment area as well as the
suitability of the lake or river or the sewage treatment plant and, if required, of the
hydraulic efficiency of the existing system.

Essential criteria for the selection of the drainage system are:

− type, structural condition, hydraulic efficiency of the existing system;
− position, acceptance capability, flooding levels and quality of the lake or river;
− characteristics of the discharges into the system;
− type and density of the buildings;
− percolation capability, material preloading of the ground;
− water protection zones, flooding areas;
− topography, groundwater levels;

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 ATV-A 105E
− type and efficiency of existing sewage treatment plants.
Comparative investigations, taking into account the construction and operating costs
should be undertaken, whereby attention is to be paid to servicing and maintenance of
the drainage systems and the effects on the sewage treatment plant and lake or river.

The arrangement and design of stormwater overflows, retention space, stormwater

settling tanks and percolation facilities are to be examined carefully according to local
conditions already at an early stage of planning. The necessary areas are to be identified
with project management planning.

3.3 Technical Aspects

Below are listed selection criteria for both the normal drainage systems. The modified
systems represent variants with which specific constraints must be met, which are
described in more detail in Chap. 4.

Combined systems are suitable:

− with distant lakes and rivers;
− for good gradients;
− with tight construction conditions;
− with a high proportion of precipitation water requiring treatment;
− in combination with wastewater lagoon systems [3].
With separate collection of wastewater and precipitation water (separate system) both
types of wastewater can be discharged and separately treated according to their different
quality and quantity.

Separate systems are suitable:

− with close rivers or lakes
− for small gradients, high groundwater level;
− with a high proportion of precipitation not requiring treatment;
− with small technical sewage treatment plants or wetlands;
− with staged expansion of the sewer network.
According to ATV Standard ATV-A 200 [10] separate systems are to be employed with:
− small sized sewage treatment plants in accordance with DIN 4261 [4];
− small sewage treatment plants with wastewater aeration for connection values
between 50 and 500 PE [5];
− the employment of pressure and vacuum drainage systems [6].
Table 1 summarises the criteria which are to be taken into account with the selection of
the drainage system. As a rule the criteria have a decisive influence on the economy of
the system.

Table. 1: Criteria for the selection of the drainage system

Separate system Combined system

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1. Pollution of surfaces
Residential areas x without SW treatment x
Industrial-commercial areas x with SW treatment x
2. Loading capacity of the lake or
river
High x x
Medium x x
Low x with SW treatment x with extensive SW treatment
3. Sewage treatment plant with
Good buffer effect x x
Poor buffer effect x -
4. Sewers to lake or river
Short x -
Long - x
5. Gradient in catchment area
Slight x -
Good x x
6. Groundwater level
High x -
Low x x
7. Settlement density
High x x
Low x -
8. Roads, lanes
Wide x x
Narrow - x
9. Separation of types of
wastewater
Very possible x -
Barely possible - x
10. Wastewater inflow from external
areas
None x x
Large x x with extensive SW treatment
Large with heavy pollution x x with extensive SW treatment

x = application possible/suitable
- = application not possible/not suitable

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3.4 Cost Aspects

The economic efficiency of the selected drainage system has great significance. It must
be verified in each design. With this not only the costs of the public drainage system but
also those for the necessary expenses for the private property drainage are to be taken
into account. The verification of the economic efficiency must be carried out with the
inclusion of construction and operational costs as well as the investment dates [7].

If it is necessary to renovate, with high financial expense, existing drainage networks

then the existing system, renewed, should be examined for its efficiency. With hydraulic
overloading of networks it is also to be investigated whether the decoupling of areas
and/or the creation of retention space are cost effective. Under certain preconditions the
updating of a separate system, for example with the employment of pressure or vacuum
drainage for the discharge of wastewater with the retention of the existing network for
stormwater discharge, is more cost effective that the basic renovation of the existing
sewers [6].

3.5 Planning, Construction and Operation

Within a defined drainage area as far as possible only one drainage system - separate or
combined - if required with the respective modified systems, should be employed.

All sewers, even stormwater sewers in a separate system, should be laid deeper than
the supply lines. If this cannot be achieved without great expense, appropriate protective
measures are to be taken. Thus, for example, with drinking water pipelines which have to
be laid at the same height or depth to parallel running wastewater pipelines, a minimum
separation of 1 m is to be maintained and the possible wastewater percolation cone is to
be taken into account. On undercutting this minimum separation or with the crossing of a
sewage drain, the laying of the supply pipeline in an appropriately long jacket pipe can be
practical from a technical and economic point of view rather than a diversion.

Stormwater overflows in existing sewer systems must be checked against the objectives
of ATV Standard ATV-A 128 [2] and, if necessary, modified. The throttle flow set is to be
examined at regular intervals for its agreement with the level of connections and the
efficiency of the sewage treatment plant.

The weir crown of overflow structures should, as far as possible, be above flooding levels
so that, with flooding, no back-up in the sewer system takes place. The frequency HWn is
to be determined dependent on the hazard potential, the probable duration of a flooding
event and the size of the sewage treatment plant (scale of the loading of lakes and rivers
when taken out of service).

The selection of the drainage system and the arrangement of discharge points can
significantly influence the discharge behaviour into the lake or river. Necessary measures
are to be matched to each other (retention measures, near natural extension of the lake
or river).

A conscientious and professional supervision is absolutely necessary with the

construction and operation of sewerage systems - in particular with separate systems -
due to possible bad connections as well as with open discharge and percolation facilities.

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4 Modified Drainage Systems
There are several possibilities for modification, whereby these cover only the non-treated
part of precipitation water:
− separate discharge of precipitation water;
− percolation of precipitation water;
− use of percolation water.
Within the framework of the modification of the drainage system, the concentration of the
combined water or stormwater in the remaining sump system increases. With combined
systems the mixing rate laid down in Chap. 9 of ATV Standard ATV-A 128 may not be
undercut. Otherwise advanced treatment measures will be necessary with the release of
combined water from the sump system [2].

4.1 Separate Discharge of Precipitation Water

Precondition for this is a body of water in the vicinity of the drainage area. The separate
discharge takes place in channels, turfed troughs, pipes, open trenches with flat slopes,
often with intermediate retention elements such as, for example, ponds. With trough-
trench systems retention, percolation and discharge are combined together. Channels,
troughs, trenches and ponds are also employed to improve the town planning or
landscaping formation of residential areas. They are a part of green areas and can be
considered as balancing measures within the framework of the testing of environmental
compatibility.

With open discharge systems the following is to be observed:

− in comparison with conventional drainage they require additional space and increased
maintenance resources;
− trenches with steep slopes are difficult to look after and are susceptible to erosion. As
a result discharges are loaded with high solid contents. From experience they are
frequently misused for dumping rubbish;
− with regard to hydraulic dimensioning it is to be noted that, in order to achieve the
same impoundment frequency, open channels and troughs near the surface require
lower frequencies for the design rainfall than lower-lying closed pipelines.

4.2 Decentralised and Semi-centralised Percolation of Precipitation Water

With decentralised percolation the percolation systems are close to the source; with
semi-decentralised percolation several adjacent property owners operate a common
percolation system. The successful implementation of a decentralised/semi-centralised
percolation presumes previous, intensive discussion with the owners. The following
aspects are to be noted:
− permeable subsoil with kf values between 10-3 and 5 x 10-6 m/s;
− separation between the highest groundwater level, raised by the percolation, and the
base of the percolation system of at least 1 m;
− a covered, active soil zone of at least 0.2 m thickness with an area/trough percolation
system;

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− flat troughs with a percolation area of As of at least 7 % of the effective discharge area
Ared (Ared : AS > 15:1);
− no treatment of percolation systems and effective discharge areas with salt, grass
fertiliser, herbicides;
− minimum requirement on the soil properties of the active soil zone (pH value > 6, clay
content > 5 %, humus content > 2 %);
− construction, operation and maintenance are the responsibility of the property owners.
The percolation method frequently favoured by owners via shafts, trenches, pipes and
porous paving neutralises the purification effect of the active soil layer. Through this the
danger of a colmation (self-sealing) increases considerably due to pollutants in
particulate form in the percolation water. The operational life of the percolation system is
shortened, the loading of the groundwater with pollutants increases.

The risk of a cellar flooding is to be examined. It is recommended that the course of

seepage lines is followed by expert soil appraisals. A separation of 6 m from buildings
and 3 m from property boundaries are not to be undercut.

The above mentioned requirements apply analogously also for decentralised percolation
of precipitation water from public roads.

4.3 Central Percolation

Central percolating systems percolate precipitation water of a larger catchment area.

Construction, operation and maintenance as a rule is the responsibility of the commune.
If a significant element of precipitation requiring treatment is contained in the runoff, it
must be treated before percolation to protect the groundwater and for the avoidance of
colmation. The necessary treatment can be ensured in accordance with the statements
of the ATV Report "Treatment recommendations for the handling of stormwater" [12] or
through equivalent measures.

The areas necessary for percolation are to be indicated with construction planning (see
also Chap. 4.1)

4.4 Use of Precipitation Water

A third route to the modification of a drainage network consists of the utilisation of

precipitation water. A significant reduction of the stormwater runoff exists only if an all-
year-round permanent usage for toilets and washing machines is guaranteed. Attention
is drawn to the hygienic considerations emphasised at various points.

The utilisation for watering gardens relieves the drainage network to an insignificant
degree only, primarily if overflow capacity in the form of rainwater barrels and cisterns is
connected.

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5 Requirements on Private Property Drainage
Private property drainage must be matched to the drainage system and the drainage
bylaws and correspond with DIN 1986 [8].

To ensure this the planning documents for the private property drainage should be
checked before implementation and the correct implementation approved before taking
into service.

With the separate system the precipitation water and the wastewater in the private
property drainage system are to be discharged in two separate pipelines, with separate
control shafts or control pipes with inspection and cleaning ports. Even with the
combined system a separate collection in the building, in accordance with DIN 1986 is to
be carried out. The pipelines are connected together first outside the building [8].

With projects in the area of the groundwater cellars are to be built watertight. Possible
existing land drainage pipelines may not be connected to the public wastewater or
combined wastewater network (infiltration water), but are to be closed off or the water is
to be discharged separately.

An increase of the infiltration water amount in the sewer system and in the sewage
treatment plant has to be reckoned with, with usage of cellar level seepage lines for the
percolation via land drains in catchment areas.

Precipitation water from commercially or industrially used courtyards or hard surface

traffic areas with heavy pollution is basically to be fed into the sewer system. This is to be
taken into account with the determination of drainage systems and the wastewater
treatment system. Due to the high cost relevance it is precisely the precipitation water
discharge which must be considered already with the identification of construction sites
and also with the planning of private property drainage systems so that the areas so to
be connected are kept small or are covered.

6 Relevant Regulations, Bibliography

1] DIN EN 752
Drain and Sewer Systems outside Buildings,
Part 1 - Generalities and definitions
Part 3 - Planning
[2] ATV-A 128E
Standards for the Dimensioning and Design of Stormwater Structures in
Combined Sewers, Issue 04/92
[3] ATV-A 201E
Principles for the Dimensioning, Construction and Operation of Wastewater
Lagoons for Communal Wastewater, Issue 10/89
[4] DIN 4261
Small Sewage Treatment Plants

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[5] ATV-A 122E
Principles for the Dimensioning, Construction and Operation of Small Sewage
Treatment Plants with Aerobic Biological Purification Stage for Connection Values
between 50 and 5000 Total Number of Inhabitants and Population Equivalents
Issue 06/91
[6] ATV-A 116E
Special Sewer Systems - Vacuum Drainage Service - Pressure Drainage Service,
Issue 09/92
[7] "Leitlinie zur Durchführung von Kostenvergleichsrechnungen" LAWA 1993
(Guidelines for the execution of cost comparison calculations)(Not available in
English)
[8] DIN 1986
Site Drainage Systems for Buildings and Private Properties
[9] ATV-A 138E
Construction and Dimensioning Facilities for Decentralised Percolation of Non-
harmful Polluted Percolation Water, Issue 01/90
[10] ATV-A 200E
Principles for the Disposal of Wastewater in Rurally Structured Areas,
Issue 05/97
[11] ATV Report of ATV Working Group 1.4.3 „Umgang mit Regenwasser - derzeitiger
Stand der Regenwasserbehandlung im Trennsystem“ [The handling of stormwater
- the current status of stormwater treatment in the separate system] (Not available
in English), KA 02/94
[12] ATV Report of ATV Working Group 1.4.3 „Handlungsempfehlungen zum Umgang
mit Regenwasser“ [Treatment recommendations for the handling of stormwater]
(Not available in English), KA 08/96
[13] ATV Report of ATV Working Group 1.4.1 „Hinweise zur Versickerung von
Niederschlagsabflüssen“ [Notes on the percolation of precipitation runoff] (Not
available in English), KA 05/95
[14] ATV Handbook „Planung der Kanalisation [Planning of sewer systems] 4th
completely revised edition, 1994 (Not available in English), Verlag Wilhelm Ernst &
Sohn, Berlin
[15] ATV Handbook „Bau und Betrieb der Kanalisation“ [Construction and operation of
the sewer system] 4th completely revised edition, 1995 (Not available in English),
Verlag Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn, Berlin

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