Erdaufschluss: Arbeiten mit unmittelbaren oder mittelbaren Auswirkungen auf das Grundwasser anzeigen

Do you want to carry out drilling or other earthworks that could affect the movement or quality of the groundwater? Then you must notify the competent authority in advance.

If you wish to carry out so-called earth excavations, you must notify the competent authority. Earth excavations are boreholes or other earthworks that reach so deep into the ground that they can affect the movement or composition of the groundwater.

Notification is required for the following projects:

• Exploration of old mines or cavities
• exploration of contaminated sites (except groundwater measuring points)
• wells
• Geochemical investigation
• Geophysical investigation
• Geothermal exploration (other)
• Groundwater measuring point (except wells)
• Engineering geological investigation or subsoil investigation
• Mapping (except base drilling)
• Raw material exploration drilling
• Other exploration purposes
• Geothermal use with groundwater heat pumps

Each borehole provides data for the evaluation of the subsoil at the respective location. The notification enables the responsible authorities to gain an impression of the drilling project and the drill cuttings produced on site. The authorities can take additional measurements and ensure the quality of the drilling results. This prevents costly mistakes in underground spatial planning.

All documents required for the water law assessment of the project in accordance with the specifications of the responsible lower water authority.

No detrimental changes to the groundwater quality may occur or be feared as a result of the excavation. The water authority can order measures to protect the groundwater (conditions).
If groundwater is unintentionally tapped during the work, the work must be stopped for the time being and the responsible water authority must be notified immediately.

• Cost amount (variable): from EUR 20.00 up to EUR 6,000.00

Remarks:

• Cost centers 208, 245 and 246 (EUR 20 to 250 for registering the notification; EUR 60.00 to 6,000.00 for a water authority order or issuing a condition or in the case of a prohibition order).
• If a permit procedure under water law has to follow, further costs and fees may be incurred.

Once you have indicated your planned excavation, you can start drilling.

The competent lower water authority decides whether water protection measures must be ordered and issues corresponding orders, conditions, restrictions or time limits. In individual cases, the project may also be refused. If you do not receive a response to your notification from the responsible water authority within one month, you may start the project. The authority can extend this period by up to 4 weeks, but can also shorten it.

The processing time depends on the quality and scope of the submitted application and, if applicable, the documents.

The notification must be made before you start work.

The project must also be notified to the responsible authority in accordance with the Geological Data Act (GeolDG) at least 2 weeks before the start of the work; this is the State Office for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Geology M-V.

Contradiction

Appeals against water authority orders, conditions or prohibition orders can be lodged within one month of notification (Section 68 VwGO).

• Earth excavation Notification of receipt of work with a direct or indirect impact on groundwater
• Drilling work/earth excavations that may affect the movement or quality of the groundwater must be notified.
• The competent authority must be notified at least one month before work begins.
• The construction project may begin after the notification has been submitted.
• The competent authorities are determined by the location of the planned drilling points, usually the lower water authorities

• The competent authority decides whether an additional permit application must be submitted.

Counties and independent cities

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: Yes
• Personal appearance necessary: No