Drilling and working in groundwater

Course description

Boreholes that only tap the quaternary gravel and are not located in the water protection area may be started one month after receipt of the notification with complete documentation, provided that the work has not been prohibited within this period

The maximum groundwater level is decisive for the obligation to notify.

If groundwater is tapped unintentionally, the Department of Climate and Environmental Protection (Water Law Division) must be notified immediately.

Boreholes that only require notification, which only tap the quaternary gravel and are not located in the water protection area, include, for example

• undeveloped boreholes such as exploratory boreholes and ground soundings
• Groundwater measuring points
• Wells for the thermal utilisation of groundwater by means of a heat pump or cooling system
• Construction of a geothermal probe
• Construction of a well for garden irrigation

Drilling through groundwater-protecting layers (clay, sand, silt), through several groundwater levels or into pressurised water requires a permit under water law (see link to "Drilling requiring approval under water law" under "Documents and links")

Required documents

The documents should preferably be submitted digitally.

• Completed notification form
• General site plan M 1:25,000 with marking of the location
• Detailed site plan M 1:5,000 or M 1:1,000 with entry of the project
• Expected layer profile of the subsoil (for groundwater measuring points with schematic expansion plan)

Legal basis

§ Section 49 of the Federal Water Act (WHG)Article 30 of the Bavarian Water Act (BayWG)