Boreholes requiring authorisation under water law

Drilling through groundwater-protecting layers, several groundwater levels or into pressurised water requires a permit under water law.

Course description

An application for a water law permit for drilling works requiring authorisation must be submitted in good time before the planned start of work. Such works include, for example, groundwater monitoring points, exploratory boreholes and ground investigation boreholes.

If boreholes are to be developed into groundwater monitoring points, the guidelines set out in the information sheet ‘Minimum criteria for the establishment of groundwater monitoring points’ issued by the Munich Water Management Office must be observed.

Boreholes that tap solely into the first or Quaternary aquifer are subject only to a notification requirement. (See ‘Boreholes and Work in Groundwater’)

The abstraction of groundwater for the purpose of conducting pumping tests is exempt from authorisation for a duration of up to 144 hours. Tests lasting longer than this, or those carried out at several wells simultaneously for a duration exceeding 72 hours, require authorisation.

For subsequent use of the groundwater tapped by the borehole, a separate procedure under water law must generally be carried out.

Required documents

You will find the required documents in the PDF entitled ‘Description of the documents required for applications relating to boreholes, wells and groundwater monitoring points in the deep aquifer ’.

The documents must be submitted in digital form and, in addition, in paper form in triplicate.

Duration and costs

Processing time

The duration of the procedure is several months and depends on the individual case, the fulfilment of all requirements for approval and the additional processing time for other specialist departments involved in the procedure.

Fees and charges

at least 100 euros up to a maximum of 15,000 euros

Legal basis

§ Article 9 of the Federal Water Act (WHG)

Article 15 of the Bavarian Water Act (BayWG)

Contact Us

Referat für Klima- und Umweltschutz
Sachgebiet Wasserrecht
Landeshauptstadt München

Internet address

Postal address

Landeshauptstadt München
Referat für Klima- und Umweltschutz
Sachgebiet Wasserrecht

Bayerstraße 28a
80335 München

Contact address

Bayerstraße 28a
80335 München

Availability

  • Available:Barrier-free access
  • Not available:Parking for disabled people

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