Guide

Wells: permits, water tests and what is actually true about fines

Updated 29 July 2026 · 5 min read
The short version: abstracting water from your own well requires a permit. That is not a new rule — it follows from the Water Act (No. 254/2001 Coll.) and has done for years, whatever alarming headlines about “new fines” may suggest. If you drink the water, have it analysed at least once a year. Wells built before 1955 are treated as an exception, but you need evidence of their age.

Every so often a wave of scare stories circulates about wells and enormous penalties supposedly introduced this year. The underlying rules are older and calmer than the headlines. They are, however, real, and they transfer with the property when you buy.

The permit

Under the Water Act, taking groundwater counts as “handling water” and requires a permit from the water authority. This includes using the well to water the garden, not only for drinking. Two situations are treated differently: wells constructed before 1955 (for which you need documentation of their age) and wells that are not used at all. The permit attaches to the property, so it normally passes to a new owner — which is exactly why you should check for it before buying.

Since 2025 a well is also classified as a “simple structure” in the building rules, which affects the paperwork for building a new one.

Abstracting groundwater without a permit is an offence and can be fined. For individuals the statutory ceiling runs into the hundreds of thousands of crowns, though penalties in practice are usually far lower. If you are not certain whether a valid permit exists for your well, ask the water authority before someone else asks you.

Water quality

If you are buying a house with a well

Add two questions to your list: is there a valid abstraction permit, and when was the water last analysed? Both are cheap to answer before the purchase and awkward to sort out afterwards.

Maintenance

A visual check of the cover, the watertightness of the shaft and the surroundings, cleaning and disinfection when needed. A well is not a maintenance-free hole in the ground — surface water finding its way in is the most common reason a previously good well starts failing analyses.

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Official sources

Czech-language sources. They are the authoritative texts; this page is a plain-English summary of them.

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GuideBuying a house: what to check GuideWhat Czech law actually requires ToolSee what applies to your house

General information about Czech rules as of 2026, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your specific property and can change. Where it matters, follow the applicable regulations and consult a qualified professional.