Heat pumps and geothermal probes; notification of boreholes for installation

Drilling for the installation of geothermal probe systems and groundwater heat pumps must be reported to the responsible district administrative authority in order to protect the soil and groundwater against contamination.

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 needs to 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 reprinted in a 4th edition. It can be downloaded from the Internet (see "Further links").

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

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 notified to the competent authority one month before the work begins.

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