Grundwasser: Bewilligung für die Entnahme beantragen

If you wish to extract groundwater, you can apply for a water permit from the relevant water authority.

If you want to extract groundwater, you need a permit or authorization under water law from the competent authority. Normally, a permit is applied for. In justified exceptional cases, you can also apply for a permit instead.

A permit grants you the right to use groundwater. Unlike a permit, an authorization cannot be revoked by the authorities at any time, but only to a limited extent. In addition, a permit protects you from third-party claims under civil law.

The permit specifies the purpose, type and extent of use and is limited in time. It may be subject to conditions and ancillary provisions.

In your application for a permit, please provide the following information, among others:

• Reasons why a secure legal status is necessary for your project
• Explanation of the purpose and plan of your project

The other documents you need for your application will vary depending on the type and scope of your project. In a preliminary discussion with the responsible water authority, you can clarify which documents are required in your case.

As a rule, several or all of the following documents are required:

• Construction description with hydraulic calculation of the withdrawal quantities, determination of the drawdown funnel and details of the drawdown target as well as a description of the system (depth, diameter, drilling method, type of well, etc.)
• Site plan of the extraction point(s) and, if applicable, discharge point(s), including a graphic representation of the drawdown funnel

Optional:

• Hydrogeological report (effects on subsoil, existing structures, vegetation, etc.)
• Statement from the lower soil protection authority on any existing contaminated sites
• Analysis of the groundwater in the case of contaminated sites
• Documents for the preliminary EIA assessment
• Technical contribution according to WFD
• Hydraulic proof of harmless discharge of the groundwater discharged into the surface water
• Proof of harmless infiltration
• Plans of the excavation pit and the groundwater extraction system (ground plan, cross-section, elevations)
• Soil expertise
• Soil profiles
• Statement from the person responsible for maintenance/water and soil association for the discharge water body
• Consent of the owner/operator of the public sewer system
• Consent of the landowner for infiltration

• Your project is not reasonable without the secure legal status of a permit. For example, a company that wants to extract drinking water and build the necessary facilities can apply for a permit.
• Groundwater and the public water supply are not endangered by your use.

You can apply for a permit from your local water authority. The general procedure is as follows:

• Send your application for authorization with the required documents to the responsible water authority.
• The responsible water authority
  • checks whether your application and documents are complete and contacts you if any information or documents are missing,
  • examines your application from a water management and water law perspective and involves other authorities if necessary,
  • carries out a site-specific preliminary assessment to determine the environmental impact assessment obligation (EIA obligation) for planned groundwater withdrawals of at least 5,000 cubic meters per year if significant adverse effects on groundwater-dependent ecosystems are to be expected. From a withdrawal volume of 100,000 cubic meters per year, a general preliminary assessment is carried out to determine whether an EIA is required. The result of the preliminary assessment is published.
• If necessary, affected parties are involved as part of a public participation process.
• You will receive
  • a notice of approval or
  • a notice of rejection.
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.

The processing time depends in particular on the quality and scope of the application and the documents.

There is no statutory deadline, so apply for approval well in advance of the start of your project.

• Contradiction

• Withdrawal of groundwater Permit
• A permit for the extraction of groundwater must be applied for from the competent authority.
• A permit:
  • provides the user of the water body with more legal certainty than a permit and
  • is only granted in justified exceptional cases.
• Prerequisites:
  • Implementation of the project is not reasonable without a secure legal status
  • No harmful, unavoidable or uncompensatable changes to the watercourse are to be expected as a result of the project
• Application is subject to a fee
• Responsible: lower water authorities of the districts and independent cities

Lower water authorities of the districts and independent cities