#51: Regulation on limits for groundwater pollutants

The aim of the law on groundwater protection is to define specified limites for a number of pollutants, e.g.nitrates.

The limit values specified in the corresponding regulation are not to be exceeded at any measuring point. Provisions include specifications for a monitoring programme.

The groundwater ordinance (GrwV) was implemented for the protection of groundwater sources and resources. It implements the EU Water Framework Directive and the Directive on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration (2006/118/EC).
The main goal of the ordinance is to maintain a good chemical status of groundwater resources, which is achieved if measurements for the concentration of a range of chemicals do not indicate any value above specified thresholds at any given time. To this end, a comprehensive monitoring programme is established, with the task of providing an overview of the chemical status of all groundwater reserves. Additionally, the programme establishes preventive work aiming to reduce the possibility of pollutant substances reaching groundwater in the first place.