Photo: DPA

Geothermal drilling taps violent geyser in Wiesbaden city centre

Published: 6 Nov 09 08:35 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091106-23071.html

Construction workers drilling for a geothermal heat source in the traditional spa town of Wiesbaden created a violent geyser that caused flooding contained only by early Friday morning, Hessian authorities said.

Drilling was underway in the city centre next to the Hessian state Finance Ministry on Thursday and had reached a depth of 130 metres when water began shooting out of the hole.

“There was 6,000 litres of water coming out per minute,” city spokesperson Siggi Schneider told news agency DPA. “The holes are also difficult to close.”

By midnight some 400 square metres surrounding the drill site were under water as 60 fire fighters worked to pump the 15-degree Celsius water into canals and prevent the Finance Ministry and a nearby hotel from flooding. The city had to call geologists and other experts to the scene to help determine what could have caused the fountain, which sprayed as high as 7-metres at one point during the evening.

“While the hole could be filled with cement in the early morning hours, the water flow could not really be stopped,” Finance Ministry manager Karlheinz Weimar told DPA, explaining that the murky water had begun to emerge from the ground in other places.

City officials said they could not yet estimate damages caused by the flooding.

The workers had been testing for the geothermal source to heat a new “passive house,” or ultra-low energy building, for the ministry. The drilling had been considered low-risk.

DDP/DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

08:53 November 6, 2009 by MrNosey
"Construction workers drilling for a geothermal heat source" found one and then were sorry that they had started looking in the first place.
09:49 November 6, 2009 by Dave WARNE
This is just because the drillers are not using second casing technique. What kind of monkeys to we have here ruining the name of geothermal heating. Oil and Gas drillers know all this, but you might as well reinvest the wheel.
13:22 November 6, 2009 by Major Domo
Not too smart to fool with Mother Nature. She has a mean streak that can be devastating. The problem is there's no way to "see" what you're drilling into. There's tons of two dimensional, cross-sectional, 3D, graphic enhanced visual rendering of what the Earth looks like under our feet, but there's always that sly anomaly that makes a good concept go bust simply because we can't see it with our eyes to fully understand it. At least the Earth didn't open up and swallow the city...yet.
11:14 November 9, 2009 by bugger
As Homer Simpson would say, "D'OH".
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
For comment quoting and other advanced formatting features,
try posting via this article's discussion forum page instead.
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional

Millions of German families on welfare could receive more government assistance after the nation’s highest court ruled Tuesday the controversial Hartz IV system of payments was unconstitutional. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Löw backs down in contract dispute

National coach Joachim Löw ended his stand-off with the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday, as both parties agreed to plough all their efforts into Germany's 2010 World Cup campaign. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy

The tough economic climate is failing to dent Germans’ enthusiasm for Karneval, with partygoers set to spend €300 million on costumes and makeup during this year’s season, the Toy Retailers’ Association said Monday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants

Jobseekers with Turkish names are clearly discriminated against when looking for work in Germany, a study released this week has found. READ »

Photo: DPA

Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim

Best-selling teenage novelist Helene Hegemann rejected accusations of plagiarism in her debut novel “Axolotl Roadkill” on Tuesday, after it emerged she had taken slabs of text from an anonymous author and blogger. READ »

Photo: DPA

Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing

The president of Hamburg's city parliament is reportedly in hot water for ordering authorities to clear the footpaths of ice outside his own home while leaving the rest of the city to slip and slide their way home. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Construction worker confesses in Cologne archive collapse case

Eleven months after the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, a construction worker has given investigators their first confession in the case, media reports said on Tuesday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films

Buyers at the Berlin film festival will be seeing triple this year, as 3-D productions such as "Avatar" transform the global cinema industry. READ »

More National
Highlights
Photo: Tamsin Ross Van Lessen
SOCIETY »
Indie cinemas are a dying breed the world over... except in Berlin, home to nearly 60 small arthouse and neighbourhood venues. As Alice Harrison reports, some are even getting the red carpet treatment at this year's Berlinale.

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

567 jobs in Germany, in English
393 new jobs this week
74 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden
Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
JOB: Nursery Teacher / Early Years Educator
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS
JOB: Admin and academic positions
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
Sales managers - country wide
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS

The Local Europe GmbH
Linienstrasse 214
10119 Berlin
Germany