scope:

This guideline covers systems for soil vapour extraction and groundwater stripping. These include stationary and mobile systems for the cleanup of soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile compounds. This guideline does not apply to stand-alone systems for the treatment of contaminated soil in terms of No. 8.7 of the Annex to 4. BImSchV (German Federal Air Pollution Control Ordinance) or secondary equipment and/or units necessary for the operation of stand-alone systems or systems operated in conjunction with another process unit subject to a permit, e. g. a thermal offgas cleaning unit. For systems subject to a permit under BImSchG (German Federal Air Pollution Control Act), the requirements laid down in the operating permit apply.

Accordingly, the systems covered by this guideline are not subject to a permit under BImSchG. Nevertheless, approvals or consents may be required for the construction and operation of such systems under other legislation. Thus, the use of a water body (groundwater) requires a permit under § 7 WHG (German Federal Water Management Act). For water removal from, reintroduction or discharge of water into surface waters or sewers as well as other uses of water, the Water Acts of the German Länder as well as the relevant ordinances and by-laws must be observed. Accordingly, the operation of stripping systems will always be subject to approval. Furthermore, the installation of high-volume strippers may require an approval under the building law. Under certain conditions, the BBodSchG (German Federal Soil Protection Act) and the BBodSchV (Soil Protection Ordinance) prescribe the development of a remediation plan and its approval by the responsible supervisory authority.

The authorities responsible for any required permits, approvals and consents are defined by the respective regulations under the law of the German Länder. Moreover, reference is made to the laws, ordinances, administrative and other regulations applicable to the construction and operation of the systems covered by this guideline (see Bibliography).

All gas volumes indicated relate to standard temperature and pressure conditions (273 K, 1013 hPa) after deduction of the water vapour content. Any exceptions are expressly indicated.