Groundwater extraction
Do you extract groundwater from a well or spring? If you extract more than 10 m³ per hour, you have to submit a notification or apply for a permit. Do you extract a maximum of 10 m³ of groundwater per hour? Then you only have a duty of care. Unless the water is used as drinking water, in which case you have to notify that too.
Who is required to report groundwater extraction?
- Do you extract more than 10 m³ of groundwater per hour from a well or spring? If so, you have to submit a notification.
- You also have to submit a notification if you extract more than 5,000 m³ of groundwater per quarter.
- And if you extract more than 10 m3 per day and use the water as drinking water or for food preparation.
Who has to apply for a groundwater extraction permit?
- You extract more than 80 m³ of groundwater per hour.
- You extract more than 10 m3 per hour for longer than six months.
You will need an additional permit if you are going to dig, excavate, or otherwise work in the ground within the restricted area of a flood defence or primary watercourse.
How does it work?
Want to submit a notification or apply for a permit online?
How does the procedure work?
- Did you submit a notification? You will normally receive our decision within two weeks, but no later than four weeks.
- Did you apply for a permit? You will receive our decision within six weeks of your application, but no later than eight weeks. If public consultation is required, you will receive our decision no later than six months after your application. You will receive a separate notification.
Would you like to know more?
The regulations for digging a pit or well and extracting groundwater are set out in the Water-Authority Regulation of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority 2023. The regulations are in line with the regulations of the provincial executives of Groningen and Drenthe.