Water law permission for groundwater lowering

To apply for a groundwater lowering permit, you can download an application form under "Forms".

It is recommended that you use the prepared application form. However, it is also possible to submit an informal application with the required documents.

The application should contain at least the following information:

• Applicant (name, address, telephone number)
• Property concerned (address)
• Site plan showing the subsidence area, the extraction and discharge points and the identification of the building plot
• Soil profiles at the extraction points with details of the GW level in relation to NN
• Hydrological calculation of the system (flow rate, drawdown area, drawdown depth in relation to sea level)
• Sectional drawings
• Details of the planned discharge (sewer/surface water or reinjection into the groundwater)
• Drawdown period
• Type of drawdown method

Groundwater lowering in small quantities for a temporary purpose, where no adverse effects on the water balance, the ecology or third parties are to be expected, can be exempted from the permit requirement in consultation with the water authority (§ 46 Para. 1

sentence 1 of the Water Resources Act).

The prerequisite for permit-free use in the course of a construction project is that there is no groundwater contamination, contaminated sites or settlement-sensitive buildings in the area of influence of the groundwater lowering and that the groundwater is not discharged into a surface water body. It is recommended that these projects be reported to the water authority for examination in good time before the start of the measure, stating the local situation and the time period.

Detailed information on groundwater extraction is summarized in the information sheet on groundwater lowering. The information sheet is available for download under the heading "Further information"

More information

The granting of permission for the lowering of groundwater in areas with groves on private, as well as public land, can only be considered without restrictions in the period from October 1 to February 29 with regard to vegetation. In the period from March 1 to September 30 (vegetation period), the affected woody vegetation must be protected by irrigation measures.

Under the heading "where can I find out more" you will find further information on the subject of groundwater lowering.

You will find sample templates for the preparation of an irrigation plan and for the documentation of the irrigation.

• Information required when applying for a permit to lower groundwater levels
  

  The application should contain at least the following information:
  

  • Applicant (name, address, telephone number)
  • Property concerned (address)
  • Site plan with entry of the drawdown area, the extraction and discharge point and the marking of the building plot
  • Floor profiles at the tapping points with specifications of the GW level in relation to NN
  • Hydrological calculation of the system (flow rate, lowering area, lowering depth in relation to sea level)
  • Sectional drawings
  • Indication of the planned discharge (sewer/surface water or re-injection into groundwater)
  • Reduction period
  • Nature of the lowering procedure

  Lowering of groundwater in small quantities for a temporary purpose, where no adverse effects on the water balance, ecology or third parties are to be expected, may be exempted from the permit requirement in consultation with the water authority (Article 46 (1)

  Sentence 1 Water Resources Act).

  The prerequisite for a permit-free use in the course of a construction measure is that there is no groundwater contamination, contaminated sites or settlement sensitive development in the area of influence of the groundwater lowering and that the groundwater is not discharged into a surface water body. It is recommended to notify these projects to the water authority for examination in good time before the start of the measure, stating the local situation and the time frame.

  Detailed information on groundwater abstractions is summarised in the information sheet on groundwater lowering. The leaflet is available for download under the heading "further information, where can I find out more".

100,00 EUR bis 2.000,00 EUR

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

The complete application must be submitted to the water authority at least four weeks before the start of the measure.

How long does it take to process

4 weeks As a rule

• Gesetz zur Ordnung des Wasserhaushalts (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz - WHG)

• Antragsformular Grundwasserabsenkung
• Merkblatt zur Grundwasserabsenkung
• Muster Bewässerungsplan
• Muster Gehölzbestandsplan
• Übersicht mittlerer Grundwasserstände in Bremen
• Einleitwerte von Grundwasser in den Untergrund, in Gewässer und in die Kanalisation