Copenhagen Energy gets 5 million cubic metres of drinking water annually from a well 60 kilometres outside Copenhagen, Denmark. This quantity is sufficient for covering the annual water consumption of 100,000 persons.
The well is situated close to a private forest. Copenhagen Energy has concluded an agreement with the forest owner concerning a very nature friendly forest management. The agreement covers approximately 95 hectares. It stipulates that in the future no pesticides or fertilizers may be used. The compensation to the forest owner is a one time sum of 10 million DKK, i.e. about 14,000 euro per hectare. The money is paid from a groundwater foundation to which each consumer contributes 10 euro per year.
Copenhagen Energy is very satisfied with the agreement. The agency sees it as a great victory each time the agency succeeds in achieving permanent protection of the groundwater by concluding agreements concerning nature friendly forest management. On several occasions in recent times drilling holes or wells had to be closed because of water pollution by pesticides or their decomposition substances.