Decisions AB - November 26: Annual plan adopted

Annual plan and tax rates for 2026 finalized

On Wednesday evening, the general board adopted the 2026 Annual Plan and the associated tax rates for the coming year. These rates have been adjusted slightly downward because the percentage applied for inflation adjustment in the Annual Plan has been reduced. A correction of 2.5% (previously 4%) is now being applied.
This means that the taxes imposed by the water board on households will increase by an average of 9.3% (previously 9.8%). The increase in euros is between €7 and €55 per household per year, depending on whether it is a single-person or multi-person household and whether the household owns or rents its home.
With its 2026 Annual Plan, Noorderzijlvest has established a balanced budget with €115 million in net expenses and €55 million in investments.

Credit application measures for fish migration bottlenecks

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to improve ecological water quality. By 2027, the WFD targets for fish stocks, among other things, must be achieved. Free fish migration is an important prerequisite for achieving these targets.

Fish migrate between different habitats throughout their lives. If they cannot reach these habitats, they cannot survive as individuals, populations, or species. Within the Noorderzijlvest working area, there are several hundred weirs, pumping stations, and locks that are necessary to enable certain uses of water. These obstruct the free migration of fish to their necessary habitats. During the WFD period 2009-2027, a total of 86 fish migration bottlenecks must be addressed and made fish-friendly. A large part of this has already been done, but a number of bottlenecks still need to be addressed. The general board has decided to make an investment credit of €9,424,372 available for the planning and implementation of fish migration bottlenecks at the following eight locations: Casper Hommes pumping station, De Wolden pumping station, Garsthuizen pumping station, Katerhals pumping station, Loppersum pumping station, Tilburg pumping station, Transferium pumping station, and Olnijsterstuw. A large part of the costs will be covered by a subsidy from the European Union and a contribution from the Land Subsidence Commission. The plan development and implementation will start in 2026.

Exploration of second press line Groningen Garmerwolde can commence

Between Stad and Garmerwolde, there is a pressure pipe in the ground from the Damsterdiep sewage pumping station. Since 1978, this pipe has transported around 80% of Groningen's wastewater to the sewage treatment plant in Garmerwolde. The pipe is in continuous operation. This makes it impossible to fully inspect the pipe for possible defects. The pipe has been in use for a long time now. The risk of calamities increases if we do nothing. In addition, the city is growing and the flow of wastewater is increasing. Extra capacity is needed to transport that extra wastewater to the treatment plant. 
That is why the water board wants to install a second underground pressure pipe. Because there are many developments underway in infrastructure and housing construction, we must go through a careful process to choose a sound preferred alternative for the route where the second pipe will be laid. The general board has made €4.2 million available for these preparations.