Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Show earth outcrop

If you want to carry out earthworks that could affect the groundwater, you must notify the responsible authority in advance.

Detailed description

You must notify the relevant authority of certain earthworks. This particularly applies to earthworks that penetrate so deeply into the ground that they can directly or indirectly affect the movement, level or quality of the groundwater. You must notify the relevant authority of such work before you begin carrying out your work. You must also notify the relevant authority if you unintentionally tap into groundwater.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • The intervention you are planning penetrates more than 10m into the ground.
  • The procedure must be performed by qualified and trained personnel who are familiar with the appropriate techniques and safety measures.
  • Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that environmental impacts are minimised.
  • Safety standards must be followed to avoid accidents or injuries.
  • Your project must not cause any adverse change in the quality of the groundwater that cannot be compensated for in any other way.

Documents required

  • Description of the measure
  • Extract from the cadastral map or site plan at a scale of 1:1000 with graphic representation of the planned exposure points
  • Contact details of the advertiser or the developer

Depending on the type and extent of the planned excavation, you may need to provide additional documents. We therefore recommend that you contact the responsible authority in advance and ask for the specific documents required in your case.

Please note

If the earth outcrop already has to be reported according to Section 8 of the Geological Data Act, the notification according to Section 49 of the Water Resources Act is not required.

Deadlines

You must notify the responsible authority of any excavations at least four weeks before they are due to begin.




If you inadvertently tap into groundwater, you must report it immediately.






You must notify the relevant authority of geological surveys at least two weeks before they are due to begin. The results of the geological surveys must then be sent to the relevant authority.


  • Technical data: 3 months after completion of the geological survey

  • Assessment dates: 6 months after completion of the geological survey.

Procedure

  • You submit your report to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your report.
  • If applicable, you will receive a notification after the check.
  • The responsible authority may also impose conditions that you must fulfil before, during or after carrying out your excavation or decide that you must also submit an application for a water law permit to use the groundwater.

Processing time

Approximately 1 month

Fees

No

Legal remedies

This is a report by you. No legal remedy is provided. There is no possibility of legal action.

Legal basis

§ 49 Water Resources Act (WHG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/whg_2009/__49.html

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

We have a limited number of customer parking spaces. To reserve a parking space, please contact our receptionist by e-mail at zugang@bsw.hamburg.de or by telephone on +49 40 428 40 - 50 50. Our working hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m , Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Keywords: Fountain drilling Soil investigation Excavation

Last updated: 14.02.2026