Water withdrawal
Water abstraction is any purposeful abstraction of water from natural or artificial water reservoirs such as groundwater, flowing water , standing water, dams , pipes or tanks.
Extraction from surface waters
The extraction of water from surface waters can be done by scooping, pumping or draining. When withdrawing from surface water, the ecologically and legally necessary residual water must be left in the water in accordance with the applicable water legislation .
Diversion
In the case of larger, continuous withdrawals, diversion is the most common form of withdrawal, for example to drive turbines to generate energy in a hydropower plant ( diversion power plant ) or as cooling water for a thermal power plant or an industrial plant. The transfer to the supply of water transport structures such as locks or canals is also often found.
In addition, it can also be used for drinking water production (feeding a drinking water reservoir), for irrigation in agriculture and forestry, for making snow in winter sports areas, for heating purposes ( water / water heat pumps ) or as service water for other industrial or private purposes (e.g. B. cleaning, rinsing, cooling, humidification).
In general, the rejection takes place above a dam ( barrage , weir or dam ), which adjustable barrier elements ( contactors , drains or the like) has, through which the ratio of extraction and amount of residual water can be regulated.
When discharged, the water used as cooling water or for energy generation is usually added back to the river below the extraction point after use. The section of the river between the intake and the return that is affected by the withdrawal is called the withdrawal section , diversion section or residual water section .
Legal situation in Germany
The withdrawal and drainage of water from surface waters, as well as the damming of a body of water that may be required for this, represent a use of the body of water ( Section 9 of the Water Resources Act ). Use requires a permit or permit under water law , unless otherwise specified.
As a different provision is z. B. According to some state water laws, the removal of water by scooping with hand vessels as so-called public use is permitted without permission (e.g. in the Thuringian Water Act ).
The same applies to withdrawals in small quantities for personal use within the framework of owner and resident use according to § 26 WHG, unless this is excluded under state law.
The removal of water to avert a current danger to public safety, in particular by the fire brigade, does not require a permit in accordance with Section 8 Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the WHG. The same applies to exercises and tests, provided that no adverse changes in the water properties are to be expected.
In twelve federal states, a water abstraction fee ( water cent ) is levied in accordance with the respective state regulations for water abstraction ; other states intend to introduce it.
Extraction of groundwater
The extraction of groundwater can be carried out by extracting the groundwater in a well or by using the water that emerges from a spring .
The main uses of groundwater abstraction are the water supply with drinking and industrial water or the generation of heat via heat pump heating systems .
Legal situation in Germany
The removal, extraction, drainage and drainage of groundwater is also a use of the body of water within the meaning of Section 9 WHG and requires a permit or permit under water law, unless otherwise specified. No permit or approval is required according to § 46 WHG, the harmless removal, extraction, routing or draining of groundwater for the household, for the agricultural farm , for the watering of cattle outside the farm or in small quantities for a temporary purpose, as well as for the purposes of Ordinary soil drainage of land used for agriculture, forestry or horticulture ( drainage ). Groundwater abstraction that is used to supply drinking water can be protected from harmful influences by establishing water protection areas. As with abstraction from surface water, a water abstraction fee is levied in the federal states in accordance with the respective state regulations.
Withdrawal from lines
For the end user, everyday water is usually drawn from public water supply or private water supply lines , with the supply of these lines usually being based on water being drawn from a body of water. If the withdrawn water is used as drinking water , the provisions of the Drinking Water Ordinance must be observed in Germany .
Extinguishing water extraction
Water is the most common extinguishing agent . In the event of a fire, it must be available quickly and in sufficient quantities, depending on the local conditions, various forms of water extraction are available:
Extraction from a body of water
The water is taken from an open body of water with the help of pumps and a suction line . The water may also have to be dammed for this purpose. If there is no natural body of water available, an extinguishing water pond or well may have to be provided as part of the planning of the extinguishing water supply.
Water from these extraction points can have the disadvantage that it is, for example, less suitable for the formation of extinguishing foam . You need more foam concentrate and the quality of the foam produced may be poorer.
The removal of water from a body of water for fire fighting as well as for exercise and test purposes does not require a permit under water law as use to avert a current danger to public safety according to Section 8 Paragraphs 2 and 3 WHG. However, the latter must be reported to the approval authority in good time. However, this does not apply to the filling of extinguishing water tanks or ponds to create an extinguishing water reserve before a fire occurs.
Fire hydrant
From the public water system is used by the fire brigade extinguishing water by fire hydrants , or by a stand pipe at an underground hydrant removed. A system separator must be installed on the hydrant . The hose is then routed to the fire pump and conveyed from there. The amount of water to be obtained depends on the performance of the pipes (diameter / pressure).
history
When the water pipe was used, the wells , which were often the only source of drinking water, lost their importance. These wells were also used to fight fires. However, the largest extinguishing water reservoir was mostly a fire fighting water pond. Due to the presence of the water pipe, fire fighting could be carried out much faster and with less effort by taking water from hydrants.
See also
literature
- Lutz Rieck: Die Rote Hefte, Heft 27a - The extinguishing water supply, Part I The collective water supply . 4th edition. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-17-015011-1 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hamilton page p. 417 Section T Question 9 ISBN 3-415-01705-2 .
- ^ Franz-Josef Sehr : The construction of the first aqueduct for Obertiefenbach . In: Yearbook for the Limburg-Weilburg district 1999 . The district committee of the district of Limburg-Weilburg, Limburg 1998, p. 274-276 .