agw - Working group of the water management associations in North Rhine-Westphalia
Am Erftverband 6
50126 Bergheim
info@agw-nw.de

Thank you for your interest in our organisation and our website. The protection of your personal data (e.g. details such as your name, postal address, e-mail address or telephone number, but possibly also usage data and your IP address) is very important to us. We undertake to treat the information provided by you with the utmost care and responsibility at all times. This also applies in particular to our co-operation with third parties. We want you to know when we collect which data and how we use it. In doing so, we observe the statutory data protection regulations.

The use of our website is generally possible without providing personal data. Personal data is only collected if we have a legal basis for doing so (e.g. contract, enquiry from you, legitimate interest) or if you have given your consent. Your personal data is processed for the purpose of providing the service you have requested. As a company under private law, we are subject to the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the provisions of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). We have taken technical and organisational measures to ensure that both we and our external service providers comply with data protection regulations.

1. the processing of personal data is only lawful if there is a legal basis for the processing.

The legal basis for processing may be in particular in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) - (f) GDPR:

a. The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes;

b. processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;

c. processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject;

d. processing is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;

e. processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;

f. processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.

2. information on the collection of personal data

a. In the following, we provide information about the collection of personal data when using our website. Personal data are e.g. name, address, e-mail addresses, user behaviour.

b. If you contact us by e-mail or via a contact form, the data you provide (your e-mail address, possibly your name and telephone number) will be stored by us in order to answer your questions. The data will not be used for any purpose other than processing and answering your enquiry. We delete the data arising in this context after storage is no longer necessary, or processing is restricted if there are statutory retention obligations.

3. collection of personal data when visiting our website

When using the website for information purposes only, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information, we only collect the personal data that your browser transmits to our server. If you wish to view our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display our website to you and to ensure stability and security (legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR):

• IP address
• Date and time of the enquiry
• Time zone difference to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Content of the request (specific page)
• Access status/HTTP status code
• Amount of data transferred in each case
• Website from which the request comes
• Browser
• Operating system and its interface
• Language and version of the browser software

This data is not linked to other data. The data collected is only used for statistical analyses and to improve the website. However, the website operator reserves the right to check this data retrospectively if there are concrete indications of unlawful use.

4. use of cookies

a. In addition to the aforementioned data, cookies are stored on your computer when you use our website. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your hard drive and assigned to the browser you are using and through which certain information flows to the location that sets the cookie. Cookies cannot execute programmes or transfer viruses to your computer. They are used to make the website more user-friendly and effective overall.  

b. This website uses the following types of cookies, the scope and function of which are explained below:

• Transient cookies
• Persistent cookies

Transient cookies are automatically deleted when you close the browser. These include session cookies in particular. These store a so-called session ID, with which various requests from your browser can be assigned to the joint session. This allows your computer to be recognised when you return to our website. The session cookies are deleted when you log out or close the browser.

Persistent cookies are automatically deleted after a specified period, which may vary depending on the cookie. You can delete the cookies at any time in the security settings of your browser.

c. You can configure your browser settings according to your wishes and, for example, refuse to accept third-party cookies or all cookies. So-called „third-party cookies“ are cookies that are set by a third party and therefore not by the actual website you are currently visiting. We would like to point out that by deactivating cookies you may not be able to use all the functions of this website.

d. We use cookies to identify you for subsequent visits if you have an account with us. Otherwise you would have to log in again for each visit.

5. further functions and offers of our website

a. In addition to the purely informational use of our website, we offer various services that you can use if you are interested. To do so, you must generally provide additional personal data that we use to provide the respective service and for which the aforementioned data processing principles apply.  

b. In some cases, we use external service providers to process your data. These have been carefully selected and commissioned by us, are bound by our instructions and are regularly monitored.

c. Furthermore, we may pass on your personal data to third parties if we offer participation in promotions, competitions, contracts or similar services together with partners. You will receive more detailed information on this when you provide your personal data or in the description of the offer below.

d. If our service providers or partners are based in a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we will inform you of the consequences of this circumstance in the description of the offer.

6. minors

Our services are generally aimed at adults. Persons under the age of 18 should not transmit any personal data to us without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

7 Rights of the data subject

The GDPR gives you the following rights as the data subject of a processing of personal data:

a. Revocation of consent
If the processing of personal data is based on consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. The withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. You can contact us at any time to exercise your right of cancellation.

b. Right to confirmation
You have the right to request confirmation from the controller as to whether we are processing personal data concerning you. You can request confirmation at any time using the contact details above.

c. Right to information
If personal data is processed, you can request information about this personal data and the following information at any time:

• the purposes of processing;
• the categories of personal data that are processed;
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations;
• where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
• the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you or to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
• the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority;
• if the personal data are not collected from the data subject, all available information about the origin of the data;
• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject. If personal data are transferred to a third country or to an international organisation, you have the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer. We will provide a copy of the personal data that is the subject of the processing. For any further copies you request, we may charge a reasonable fee based on administrative costs. If you make the request electronically, the information shall be provided in a commonly used electronic format, unless you specify otherwise. The right to receive a copy in accordance with paragraph 3 must not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of other persons.

d. Right to rectification
You have the right to obtain from us without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, you have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.  

e. Right to erasure („right to be forgotten“)
You have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay and we are obliged to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

• The personal data are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
• The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1), or point (a) of Article 9(2) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
• The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.
• The personal data was processed unlawfully.
• The deletion of personal data is necessary to fulfil a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.
• The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR. Where the controller has made the personal data public and is obliged pursuant to paragraph 1 to erase the personal data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data. The right to erasure („right to be forgotten“) does not exist insofar as processing is necessary:

• to exercise the right to freedom of expression and information;
• for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
• for reasons of public interest in the area of public health in accordance with Article 9(2)(h) and (i) and Article 9(3) GDPR;
• for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) GDPR in so far as the right referred to in paragraph 1 is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing, or
• for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims.

f. Right to restriction of processing
You have the right to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data if one of the following conditions is met:

• the accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data,
• the processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead;
• the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, or
• the data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject. Where processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, such personal data shall, with the exception of storage, only be processed with the data subject's consent or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State. To assert the right to restriction of processing, the data subject can contact us at any time using the contact details provided above.

g. Right to data portability
You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and you have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, where one of the following applies

• the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) or Article 9(2)(a) or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, and
• the processing is carried out using automated procedures.

When exercising the right to data portability pursuant to paragraph 1, you have the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible. The exercise of the right to data portability does not affect the right to erasure („right to be forgotten“). This right does not apply to processing that is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

h. Right of objection
You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. The controller shall no longer process the personal data unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If you object to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data will no longer be processed for these purposes.

In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, you may exercise your right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to processing of personal data concerning you for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1), unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

You can exercise your right to object at any time by contacting the respective controller.

i. Automated decisions in individual cases including profiling
You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you. This does not apply if the decision:

• is necessary for the conclusion or fulfilment of a contract between the data subject and the controller,
• is authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests; or
• with the express consent of the data subject.

The data controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

The data subject can exercise this right at any time by contacting the respective controller.

j. Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

The supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Art. 78 GDPR.

Our supervisory authority is the State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of North Rhine-Westphalia, Kavalleriestr. 2 - 4, 40213 Düsseldorf.

k. Right to effective judicial remedy
Without prejudice to any available administrative or extrajudicial remedy, including the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority pursuant to Article 77 GDPR, you have the right to an effective judicial remedy if you consider that your rights under this Regulation have been infringed as a result of the processing of your personal data in non-compliance with this Regulation.

In the following, we describe as precisely as possible which personal data we collect and store in connection with various apps and analysis services of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Stress, Dublin 4, Ireland („Google“), which data is transmitted to Google and what happens to the data at Google.

1. google web fonts

This site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google for the standardised display of fonts. The Goolge fonts we use are installed locally on our server. There is no connection to Google servers. 

2. hyperlinks

Our website contains so-called hyperlinks to websites of other providers. If you activate these hyperlinks, you will be forwarded directly from our website to the website of the other provider. You can recognise this by the change of URL, among other things. We cannot accept any responsibility for the confidential handling of your data on these third-party websites, as we have no influence on whether these companies comply with data protection regulations. Please refer directly to these websites for information on how these companies handle your personal data.