Request information from the water board (Woo)

Would you like to obtain documents or data from the water board that are not (yet) public? If so, you can submit a Woo request based on the Open Government Act (Woo).

The water board shares a lot of information. We do this actively, for example, through various documents and decisions that we publish online. We also respond to questions we receive. We can often answer these questions quickly. We also receive formal requests for information. Responding to these requests takes a little longer. In such cases, we follow the procedure set out in the Open Government Act (Woo).

Woo request form

Much of the information is already public

You can find this information in various places:

  • On our website, for example under Policy and rules. Here you will find legislation and regulations, policy documents, plans, annual reports, the most recent annual plan, and reports.
  • In our Water Authority Journal, via official announcements. Here we publish rules, decisions, permits, and applications.
  • Reports and agendas of meetings, via administrative information.
    The agendas and lists of decisions of the executive committee and the general board are available on the iBabs public portal. Here you will also find all proposals on which the general board decides.

Can't find something?

Are you missing information or unable to find it on the website, in the Waterschapsblad magazine, or among the meeting documents? If so, please contact our Woo contact person. Send an email to info@noorderzijlvest.nl or call 050 304 8911 and ask for the Woo contact person.

Woo contact person

This contact person will help you find the right documents. Sometimes we can send you the requested documents without the need for an official Woo request. This is often quicker. If you decide you want to submit an official request later, you are of course still welcome to do so.

Submit a Woo request

If you want to request information that is not (yet) public, you can submit a formal request. You can do this on the basis of the Open Government Act (Woo). Once we make the requested information public, it will be available to everyone, for example via our website.

How do you submit a Woo request?

There are two ways to submit a Woo request:

  • Digitally via the web form on our website. You can use DigiD, but this is not mandatory. You can also log in without DigiD. For organizations, we ask that you use eHerkenning.
  • By mail: send your request to Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, PO Box 18, 9700 AA Groningen.

Please note: you cannot submit a Woo request via email.

What should you include in your Woo request?

Ensure that your request meets these three conditions:

  • Describe clearly and precisely what information you would like to receive.
  • Please indicate the period to which the requested information relates.

The more precise you are, the faster we can help you.

Is your request unclear? 

We will then contact you. We will wait to process your request until you have provided additional information. Once your request is complete, we will process it.

Contact by telephone

When submitting a Woo request, we ask for a telephone number. You may provide this to us, but you are not required to do so. Having a telephone number allows us to respond more quickly in case of any uncertainties. Telephone contact regarding a Woo request does not affect the formal deadlines for processing a Woo request.

How does the procedure work?

  • You will receive confirmation of your request within a few days. You can read more about this in our service standards.
  • The Woo contact person will contact you to explain how the process works and keep you informed of progress.
  • You will receive a decision within four weeks. Sometimes we extend this period by two weeks. If this is the case, we will let you know in good time.
  • Sometimes we ask other parties involved for their opinion. If your request also concerns other people or organizations, they will be given the opportunity to respond. During this time, we will pause the processing of your request.
  • Is a lot of information required? Then we will make arrangements together about how and when you will receive the information.

Are there any exceptions?

Sometimes we are not allowed to disclose certain information. For example:

  • Personal data;
  • Company details;
  • Information that could cause financial damage;
  • Personal opinions or considerations in internal documents.

These exceptions are set out in Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the Woo.

Do you have to pay?

Woo requests are usually free of charge. We may only charge a fee if you want paper copies of documents. This will always be done in consultation with you.

Disagree with the decision?

Do you disagree with our decision? Then you can lodge an objection within six weeks. 

Want to know more?

Approved Woo requests

On May 1, 2022, the Open Government Act (Woo) came into effect.