Water Protection Zone III - What should be considered?

Good evening,

today we looked at a plot of land that we really liked because of its location.
New development area. We asked neighbors who have just built and they mentioned something about a water protection area Zone III. Also relatively high groundwater. For a heat pump the outdoor units are also outside and not underground.
Can anyone say something about what needs to be considered, whether you can still guarantee a permanently watertight basement, heat pump and cistern? They also said no drilling into the ground is allowed.
How can I see this in the development plan? I have it on hand.

Best regards
Tobias

Hello Tobias,

Can anyone say anything about what needs to be considered, whether you can still guarantee a permanently watertight basement, heat pump and cistern? They also said that no soil drilling is allowed.
How do I see this on the development plan? I have it available.

Water protection areas serve the special protection of drinking water supply. Therefore, special care by all parties involved in the construction project is required during construction work in water protection areas to protect soil and groundwater.

Of course, you will get a "dry" basement, it will just be more expensive because additional measures will have to be taken. A air-to-water heat pump is also suitable if drilling is not allowed.

In the textual provisions of the development plan, you should find all relevant requirements; also whether a cistern is permitted.

Rhenish greetings

Hello,

there are various laws, e.g. [Wasserhaushaltsgesetz] and some locally different regulations that you need to research. The environmental office of your municipality will help you (or their well-maintained website with all necessary legal texts, guidelines, and applications).

Here in Berlin, geothermal drilling is not allowed in Zone 3 either; any contact with groundwater due to a cellar or pile foundation must be reported, all materials used must be reported in advance, etc. Parking spaces must be on a sealed concrete slab. Drilling up to 15 m deep is permitted if reported and the water is used only for garden irrigation. These are just some of the many local practices. As mentioned: inquire with your authorities.

OK, thanks for the answers. I expect that the basement will be about 10,000 - 15,000 more expensive due to a white bathtub. That is also not a point where I would save. Is there a guarantee for the tightness? How long would it be? I have heard of a case in the neighborhood that has just ended up in court.