Scheme incentive contribution to disconnect rainwater

Why does the municipality want to encourage this?

The increase in heavy precipitation is increasing the risk of streets and basements flooding. We want to prevent this as much as possible. For rain showers that are so heavy that the public sewer system cannot cope, we are jointly responsible. The municipality is making public spaces increasingly climate-proof. But very heavy showers cannot be absorbed by the municipality alone because public space has its limitations.

By disconnecting your rainwater from the sewerage system and retaining it in your own garden, we reduce the risk of flooding. The municipality of Gemert-Bakel provides advice and a financial contribution to achieve this together.

How does rainwater disconnection work?

Disconnection involves the removal of stormwater runoff to the sewer system. The rainwater is then either collected locally or it sinks into the soil. This can be done, for example, by cutting through the downspouts of the house and letting the rainwater sink into a reduction in the garden. Or underground infiltration crates can be installed in the soil. Tips on this can be found on the website of Stichting Rio .

There are many ways to disconnect rainwater, most of which can also be combined. The most appropriate way for you depends mainly on:

1. The size of the roof area you are disconnecting
2. the permeability of the soil in your garden
3. the space you have available in your garden

Terms

To qualify for this incentive grant, the following conditions apply:

• Work has not yet begun;
• The roof area to be disconnected is within the municipality of Gemert-Bakel;
• You are not connected to the pressure sewer system; after all, no rainwater may be discharged to it, so in that situation there is no disconnection;
• At least 5 m2 and no more than 1000 m2 of contiguous roof area shall be disconnected from the public sewer system;
• Rainwater from the disconnected roof area will be collected in a water storage area to be constructed on-site;
• The water storage can store at least 30 liters per m2 of disconnected roof area;
• Collected stormwater is infiltrated or delayed runoff on private property;
• If there is an infiltration facility, the bottom of this facility is above the mean highest groundwater level (GHG);
• When stormwater is discharged underground to an infiltration facility, all downspouts shall be equipped with a leaf trap and a sand trap shall be installed;
• Water storage is always designed to help reduce peak discharges and not cause nuisance to adjacent properties;
• The water storage facility may have an overflow facility for drainage of water during heavy showers when the facility is full, preferably above ground;
• Water storage must be controllable for operation (visible or accessible);
• The water storage must be drained within 5 days (at a maximum of 2 mm of precipitation per 24-hour period);
• The property being disconnected was built at least before December 31, 2018.

Who is the incentive grant intended for?

All non-governmental organizations such as citizens, citizens' groups (such as village and neighborhood councils, associations), companies and housing associations can receive an incentive contribution for disconnecting rainwater from the sewer system. Instead of a connection to the sewer system, rainwater should then infiltrate into the soil of your plot or there should be a facility that can drain rainwater delayed. This helps prevent flooding during heavy rainfall because the sewer system does not have to handle as much rainwater at a time.

Important text: Note: This regulation applies to properties in the municipality of Gemert-Bakel that were built at least before December 31, 2018 and discharge the rainwater directly or indirectly to the public sewerage system which drains to the sewage treatment plant.

How does the stimulus grant application work?

• You can apply through the Application Form Incentive Contribution for Disconnecting External Link Icon.
• The municipality reviews the application and decides whether or not to award an incentive grant.
• You will perform the work within 6 months and submit supporting documents of the performance and a completed Application Form for Benefit Incentive Payment for Disconnection of External Link Icon within 6 weeks of performance.
• Based on the information provided and possibly after verification, the municipality makes a decision on whether or not to disburse the incentive grant.

Available incentive contribution

The contribution is available to both private owners and legal entities.
The amount of the incentive contribution for a disconnected roof area of 5 m2 to 1,000 m2:
€ 6.00 per m2 of disconnected roof area.

Important text: Note: You cannot take advantage of two municipal incentive programs at the same time.

Custom

Want to disconnect but not dig in your yard?

One of the easiest things you can do just at home is to disconnect the downspout. This allows rainwater to flow not into the sewer system, but into the garden where it can soak into the soil. If your garden is large enough, you may also qualify for an incentive grant. Fewer tiles in the garden also helps. Contact the municipality for customized arrangements.

Want to disconnect more than what the municipality establishes an incentive contribution for?

Customization is possible when disconnecting larger areas than that covered by the scheme. Please contact the municipality for this.

Want to install a rain barrel?

By installing a rain barrel, you capture some of the rainwater that falls on the roof. However, a rain barrel normally does not have a drain construction. After a rainfall, the barrel is full and is not available for another rainfall. For this reason, installing only a rain barrel does not qualify for this incentive grant. Of course, a rain barrel can help you have some extra water available for watering plants in times of drought.

Subsidy water board Aa and Maas

• Water Board Aa and Maas also has a special subsidy scheme for climate-proof measures.
• The schemes of the municipality of Gemert-Bakel and water board Aa and Maas are stackable. So you can get subsidies from both the municipality and the water board!
• For more information, visit the Water Board Aa and .

Learn more

On the website of the central government you can find the established current regulation stimuleringsbijdrage afkoppelen .
As a municipality, we also have a for inspiration.

Map material

• Opportunity map : how promising is it for you to disconnect and infiltrate?
• On the website (Data and Information of the Dutch Subsoil) you can find information about current groundwater levels.