Can I drill a well or borehole in my yard?
It depends on depth: over a certain threshold you need an approval from Apele Române. Under the Water Law 107/1996, for a borehole (well) deeper than 5 metres you must obtain a water-management approval from ANAR (the National Administration "Apele Române"). To get the approval, you usually need: a hydrogeological study (establishing the water-table depth and quality) and an urban-planning certificate from the town hall (showing whether drilling is allowed in the area and under what conditions). A traditional, shallow well (below the threshold) can be exempt, but local rules may differ. Note: drilling without approval, or extracting water beyond the authorised volume, brings serious sanctions (including criminal). In short: for a deep borehole — an approval from Apele Române; always check with the town hall too.
📋 The rules
- Borehole over 5 metres: water-management approval (ANAR)
- Needed: hydrogeological study + urban-planning certificate
- The approval is issued by Apele Române
- Water volume extracted: within the authorised limit
- Check the rules at the town hall too
🔓 Exceptions
- Traditional, shallow well (below threshold): a simpler regime
- Different local rules: confirm with the town hall/Apele Române
- Commercial/high-flow boreholes: extra requirements
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Drilling a borehole without approval or unauthorised water exploitation is severely sanctioned under the Water Law: it can be a crime, punished with imprisonment of 1 to 3 years or a fine, and the Basin Water Administration can apply fines between 25,000 and 50,000 lei for individuals (higher for firms) if the borehole was drilled without approval or if the extracted volume exceeds the authorised levels. To stay compliant: first determine the depth you want; if it exceeds the threshold, get the hydrogeological study, the urban-planning certificate and the water-management approval from Apele Române, then drill with an authorised firm. Observe the authorised water volume and, where applicable, get the operating authorisation. Always check the local town hall's requirements too.
📎 Official sources
- Water Law no. 107/1996 →
- National Administration "Apele Române" (ANAR) →
- Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need approval for a well in my yard?
It depends on depth. For a borehole deeper than 5 metres you must obtain a water-management approval from Apele Române (ANAR). A traditional, shallow well, below this threshold, can have a simpler regime, but local rules may differ, so check with the town hall too.
What documents do I need to drill?
Usually you need a hydrogeological study, establishing the water-table depth and water quality, and an urban-planning certificate from the town hall, showing whether drilling is allowed in the area and under what conditions. Based on these, you get the water-management approval from Apele Române.
What do I risk drilling without approval?
Drilling without approval or unauthorised water exploitation is severely sanctioned. It can be a crime, punished with imprisonment of 1 to 3 years or a fine, and the Basin Water Administration can apply fines between 25,000 and 50,000 lei for individuals, higher for firms.
Who issues the water-management approval?
The water-management approval is issued by the National Administration "Apele Române" (ANAR), through the basin administrations. It's the document needed before drilling a borehole that exceeds the legal depth threshold. Without it, the drilling is considered unauthorised and is sanctioned.
Can I extract as much water as I want from the well?
No. The water volume extracted must stay within the authorised limit. Extracting a volume beyond the authorised one is fined, just like drilling without approval. So the approval and, where applicable, the water-management authorisation set the specific conditions for using the well.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “well drilling permit apele romane”
- “borehole depth 5 metres permit”
- “fine drilling without permit”
- “hydrogeological study borehole”
- “urban planning certificate well”
- “water law 107/1996 borehole”