Abstract: A water separation system for separating water from fuel is provided with a water separator with a separator housing provided with a water collecting chamber; a water separating element arranged in the separator housing and fluidically connected with the water collecting chamber; and a water discharge valve connected to the water collecting chamber. A suction and pressure fuel pump feeds fuel to the water separating element. A control device is operatively connected to the fuel pump to control the fuel pump for discharging water collected in the water collecting chamber such that the fuel pump pumps fuel into the separator housing to displace the collected water and discharge the collected water from the water collecting chamber via the water discharge valve. The water discharge valve is pressure-controlled or transferred into an open position by the control device.