Soil protection and contaminated sites
Soil is the uppermost living part of the earth's crust. Earth or soil is also used synonymously. Soils are very different - for example wet or dry, sandy or loamy, rich or poor in humus. Of particular importance and therefore especially worthy of protection are the top two meters, which are necessary for the formation of a rootable soil layer. Due to its many functions, soil is a resource that requires special protection.
On this page
Soil: a protected asset with a multitude of functions
Natural function
Soil is a natural basis of life for plants, animals and humans. Soils are also a production site for food. They filter pollutants and thus protect the groundwater. In addition, soils store precipitation and provide flood protection. This is why it is so important that as little soil as possible is sealed, because otherwise it cannot provide a home for animals, for example.
Utilization function
Site for agricultural and forestry use, raw material deposit, area for settlement and recreation, site for other economic or public uses.
Archive function
Soil formation reacts to changes in the environment and human influences. This is called an archive of natural and cultural history.
Soils are protected by laws and regulations
- Building Code (BauGB)
- Hessian Contaminated Sites and Soil Protection Act (HAltBodSchG)
- Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
- Federal Soil Protection Act (BBodSchG)
- Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance (BBodSchV)
What does the Offenbach floor look like?
30 million years ago, today's Offenbach urban area was below sea level. Sediments were deposited. Floodplain landscapes came and went. When the water disappeared, trees and bushes grew and disappeared again. This resulted in what Offenbach's subsoil is known for today: layers of clay, loam, stone or sand lying next to and on top of each other. Clay in particular plays a special role here. There are different layers of clay in Offenbach, including the so-called Rupel clay. There is only general data about the soil in Offenbach - each plot of land must therefore be considered individually.
Display of geological investigations
Geological surveys must be reported to the State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) in Wiesbaden in accordance with Section 8 of the Geological Data Act (Geologiedatengesetz - GeolDG) for the territory of the Federal State of Hesse. The notification of geological investigations must be made at least two weeks before the start of the work. The notification obligation applies irrespective of approval or notification obligations under other specialist legislation. Only the web application "Bohranzeige Online Hessen" is to be used for the notification of all boreholes (> 2 meters depth).
Contaminated sites and information on contaminated sites
Contaminated sites within the meaning of the Federal Soil Protection Act (BBodSchG) are old deposits and old sites that cause harmful soil changes or other hazards for individuals or the general public. This can be caused by the improper treatment, storage or dumping of waste and the improper handling of environmentally hazardous substances.
Information on contaminated sites for the city of Offenbach can be obtained from the
Darmstadt Regional Council
Water and Soil Protection Service Center
Frankfurt office
Phone: +49 (69) 2714 2970
E-mail: bodenschutz-frpda.hessende
You can find out which documents are required on the homepage of the Darmstadt Regional Council (opens in a new tab)
Information on the old Pechhütte landfill
Office for Environment and Climate
Stadt Offenbach am Main - Kaiserpalais
Kaiserstraße 39
63065 Offenbach
Notes on accessibility
Further information
KOMM parking garage, IHK Offenbach parking garage, Rathaus parking garage, public parking spaces on the banks of the Main
- +49 69 80652557
- +49 69 80652276
- umweltamtoffenbachde
- Further information
Opening hours
Monday - Friday:
09:00 - 12:00
and by appointment