Well water must be used sparingly at all times. Therefore, only quantities of water that have no relevant influence on the groundwater level may be withdrawn. This includes

• watering the plants in your own garden
• and watering animals.

The groundwater from the garden well is used in particular to water existing plants, such as garden flowers and crops, for your own needs. However, due to climate change and the resulting prolonged periods of drought, the groundwater level is currently very low. So use water sparingly!

It is not permitted to use groundwater wastefully, i.e. to have a significant negative impact on the water balance/groundwater level.

• Therefore, do not fill pools or swimming pools with groundwater,
• do not clean objects with it,
• do not supply neighbors or other people with the water,
• do not water excessively and
• do not water large areas of lawn. Lawns recover after periods of heat.

For health reasons, you should also not use the water as drinking water or for preparing food. Microbiological or chemical contamination cannot be ruled out.

If you wish to use groundwater for the permitted purposes mentioned above, this is generally possible without a separate permit. However, the construction of a well always means that the groundwater is exposed and is therefore associated with the risk that it may be impaired. For this reason, you must always notify the Lower Water Authority of the construction of a well in advance - at least one month before starting work - in accordance with Section 46 of the Water Resources Act (WHG) in conjunction with Section 29 of the Hess. Water Act (HWG). You can access the application form and the online application via the links at the bottom of this page.

You will receive written confirmation no later than four weeks after we have received your notification. You can then install your garden fountain. You will not receive confirmation if it turns out that drilling the well is not possible for reasons of nature conservation or due to site-specific characteristics. Construction may then be prohibited or subject to conditions.

Please also note that confirmation of your notification offers no guarantee that groundwater is present at an economic depth beneath your property and that we will not check this.

If there is already a well in your garden, the application must be submitted subsequently. Only then is the use permitted.

• There is a processing fee of 35.50 euros for the application (notification) for a well.
• Costs are incurred for the drilling of the well (depending on the depth of the well) by the specialist company and for the purchase of the well.
• Costs may also be incurred for water quality checks. This is because the confirmation of your application does not guarantee a certain quality of the extracted groundwater or that it is free of pollutants. An analysis of the water before use is recommended.

The construction and use of garden fountains is based on the following legal principles:

• Water Resources Act (WHG)
• Hessian Water Act (HWG)

If you have any questions on this topic, please send an e-mail to wasserbehoerdewiesbadende