Applying for permission to extract groundwater

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.
• You will receive
  • a permit or
  • a notice of rejection
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.

Please contact the responsible Structural and Approval Directorate North or South.

• Groundwater and the public water supply are not endangered by your use.
• Your project does not fall under public use, for which you do not need to apply for a permit under water law.

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:

• Explanatory report
• Overview site plan as a topographical map in which the existing or planned facility is shown in color
• Current cadastral site plan in which the existing or planned installation is shown in color
• Information on the type of installation
• schematic representation of the facility in plan and section
• accompanying nature conservation planning, including entry in the compensation area register for new facilities
• if applicable: technical contribution to the Water Framework Directive

• Certificate of competence

There is no statutory deadline. Apply for the permit in good time before starting your project.

• § Section 8 (1) of the German Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz - WHG)
• § Section 9(1)(5) of the German Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz - WHG)

Contradiction

State Office for the Environment

01.12.2023