Grundwasser: Erlaubnis für die Entnahme beantragen

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

If you want to extract groundwater, you need a permit under water law. You can apply for this from the responsible authority. They will examine your application and decide whether you will be granted a permit.

The permit specifies the purpose, type and extent of use. It may be subject to conditions and ancillary provisions. The permit can be revoked by the authorities. There is no legal entitlement to the granting of a permit or to the use of groundwater.

You do not require a permit under water law if you only extract groundwater to a small extent and without any adverse effects on the water balance, for example for

• your own household,
• watering your garden,
• for farm operations,
• for watering livestock,
• in small quantities for a temporary purpose or
• the normal drainage of land used for agriculture, forestry or horticulture.

The documents you need for your application 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
  

• Groundwater and the public water supply are not endangered by their use.

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

• Send your application for a permit with the required documents to the competent water authority.
• The competent water authority
  • checks that 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, if necessary, involves other authorities,
  • 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.
• You will receive
  • a permit or
  • a notice of refusal
• 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 the permit in good time before starting your project.

Contradiction

• Withdrawal of groundwater Permit
• A permit under water law must be applied for from the competent authority for the extraction of groundwater
• Prerequisite: No harmful, unavoidable or uncompensable changes to water bodies 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

Applications can usually be submitted informally. For some, often recurring cases, some water authorities also have application forms available. Please enquire.