Groundwater level: Very low, but harmless

Created: 07/05/2022, 09:06

Symbolic image © Patrick Pleul/dpa

Does Gilching have to save water to protect the groundwater?

Green councilor Peter Unger sees the danger, but experts disagree.

Gilching

– Should the people of Gilching save water by order?

If it were up to Greens councilor Peter Unger, then the community would actually have to worry.

During a tour of the Jais pond, he noticed that the groundwater level of the quarry lake was showing a "frightening decline," he said at the most recent municipal council meeting.

He then sent an e-mail with a link to the State Office for the Environment on the groundwater levels of the past few months.

According to statistics, the groundwater level for the Gilching and Unering wells is actually "very low" for the time of year.

"But it's not worrying," says Albert Pfannes, technical manager at the Gilchinger municipal utilities.

A groundwater reservoir “as big as Lake Starnberg” begins at a depth of about 27 meters under Gilching.

Its level has fallen by about 95 centimeters since 2009.

Nevertheless, one or two winters with normal precipitation would be enough for the level to recover.

"There is no need to worry," he assured.

Meanwhile, the Jais pond is a good parameter.

“You can see that he is 50 centimeters short.

But that will be different again next year.”

Level was even lower

Andreas Schechinger, official geologist from the water management office in Weilheim, explained the statistics.

From this one can also infer that, for example, in November 1998 the level was much lower than today.

“It must have been a very dry year,” he suspects.

2018 was also a dry year, which may still have an impact.

The groundwater reservoir under Gilching is very large.

It is therefore all the more important to have several mainstays and the designation of protected areas.

In principle, the following also applies: “You should always be careful with drinking water.” And yes: A normal winter with slow melting would be good.

Mayor Manfred Walter gave a reassuring answer during the meeting.

When there is little rain, the surface water evaporates faster than on rainy days, which Unger noticed at the Jais pond.

“However, this has no influence on the groundwater flow.

In Gilching as well as in the Fünfseenland we are well positioned due to the optimal geological conditions and don't have to worry."

This was also emphasized by Dr.

Bernd Schulte-Middelich, Managing Director of the Asto Group.

As reported, he is a co-initiator of the planned geothermal energy and accordingly deals with the topics of groundwater and deep water.

“In our area, the groundwater flow is between 30 and 60 meters deep.

Underneath is an impermeable layer, so that the groundwater cannot seep away.

We are far from running out of water in the foreseeable future.” (ph/hvp)