Heat pumps and geothermal probes; notification of boreholes for installation

In order to inform building owners, planners, specialist tradesmen and drilling companies about geothermal probes and to show the way to the proper construction of a system, the Ministries for the Environment and Consumer Protection and for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, together with the Bundesverband WärmePumpe (BWP) e. V., have published a guide for the construction of geothermal probes for heat pump systems. In addition to basic statements on water law assessment, it provides information and recommendations on what must be observed when constructing and operating a geothermal probe system and provides information on the necessary application documents.

The guide has been updated due to technical developments and legal changes and has been reissued in a 4th edition. It can be downloaded from the Internet (see "Related links").

Drilling for the installation of geothermal probe systems must be reported to the relevant district administrative authority to protect the soil and groundwater from contamination.
If the boreholes for the geothermal probes reach into the groundwater, a permit under water law is usually required.

Please note and use the documents listed under "Forms":

• Drilling and utilization notification for geothermal probes.
• Application form for groundwater heat pumps.
• Display for well drilling for irrigation.

You will also find the "Ordinance on Plans and Supplements in Water Law Proceedings (WPBV)" under Legal Bases.

You can also access the "Bavarian Renewable Energy Procedure Manual" via the links below.

Work that penetrates so deeply into the ground that it may have a direct or indirect effect on the movement, level or quality of the groundwater must be reported to the competent authority one month before the work begins.

If one month has passed since the notification without a cessation or removal order being issued in accordance with Section 49 (3) WHG, the work can be started and carried out until the groundwater is affected.

• Application form for groundwater heat pumps
• Display for well drilling for irrigation
• Drilling and utilization notification for geothermal probes

• Art. 30 Bavarian Water Act (BayWG)
• Art. 70 Bavarian Water Act (BayWG)
• Ordinance on Plans and Supplements in Water Law Proceedings (WPBV)

  Specifications for the design of the documents

  Quote: "Projects for which a water law procedure is to be carried out must be presented in plans and enclosures (documents) in such a way that the project itself and its effects, in particular on the water balance, the water characteristics, the status of the waters and other environmental areas, are evident."

• § Section 49 of the Water Resources Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz - WHG)

• Bavarian Renewable Energies Procedure Manual

  Would you like to invest in renewable energies? - The procedural handbook is intended to make it easier for project developers and citizens to understand the procedures. The presentation relates to immission control, water law and building law procedures. The procedural handbook is intended as an aid and should provide orientation on important procedural aspects. (e.g. wind power, hydropower, photovoltaics, geothermal energy/heat pumps)

• Brochure "Guide to geothermal probes in Bavaria"
• Thermal utilization

• Water rights; application for a permit
• Well drilling; advertisement
• Earth excavation; display