Groundwater
Groundwater is the world's most utilised raw material. One of the tasks of the water authorities is to ensure that groundwater remains clean and sufficiently available for future generations.
The lower water authority examines the impact of all projects on the quantitative and chemical status of the groundwater body concerned. Deterioration of the status must be ruled out[1], [2], [3]
In order to ensure that this assessment is carried out, the lower water authority must be notified of all measures involving the extraction of groundwater.
The basis for precautionary, comprehensive groundwater protection is systematic and continuous monitoring of groundwater levels and groundwater quality. This task is carried out by the Free State of Saxony or its authorised representatives[6]. A monitoring network for monitoring the quantitative status is also operated by the City of Chemnitz[7].
According to the provisions of the Water Resources Act[4], [5] groundwater may only be used if a permit under water law has been obtained.
Groundwater utilisation includes, for example
- the abstraction, extraction and discharge of groundwater, e.g. use of a well
- the introduction and discharge of substances into the groundwater, e.g. infiltration of fully biologically treated wastewater, infiltration of precipitation water
- the lowering of groundwater, e.g. for draining construction pits
- the damming up and diversion of groundwater, e.g. through underground car parks built in groundwater
- Measures that are likely to cause permanent or significant adverse changes to the water quality, e.g. drilling wells or geothermal probe systems, operation of geothermal heat recovery systems.
The application for a water licence must be submitted to the lower water authority. The content and scope of the application documents must be agreed on a case-by-case basis.