Annual plan 2026: water-related work continues to cost more

Major challenges

The challenges in water management remain considerable and require high investments every year in safe dikes, the collection of peak rainfall and the consequences of dry periods, and the purification of sewage water. Management and maintenance costs are rising accordingly. This trend has been ongoing throughout the country for a number of years. Tax rates for 2026 will increase by an average of 9.3% for households in the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority's working area.

Why is water-related work becoming more expensive?

Work continues unabated on strengthening dikes and maintaining inland flood defenses in accordance with standards. The capacity to temporarily store water when heavy rainfall threatens safety is being increased. Pumping stations are being prepared to discharge larger quantities of water. 
This Annual Plan focuses on improving water quality to make water increasingly cleaner and healthier. For 2026 and the years that follow, the maintenance costs for sewage treatment plants in Leek and Garmerwolde will be higher. Major maintenance is required. A positive consequence is that this modernization will improve the results of the treatment process. This means that increasingly cleaner treated water will return to the surface water. Measures in the landscape that will eventually ensure cleaner surface water that can also remain in the area for longer also cost a lot of money: re-meandering streams that were once straightened, constructing kilometers of nature-friendly banks and fish passages are examples of such investments.

Leading the way in working together on water and soil

All this work is being prepared. The water board is increasingly involving the local community in this process. This means that planning takes a little longer, but it is also done more carefully, with greater attention to the interests at stake in the area. This is important because only through sustainable cooperation can we create added value for the entire area. The water board is very clear about its position in this cooperation: Noorderzijlvest wants to take the lead in working together on water and soil issues. 

Higher costs, particularly in purification levies

In the coming years, the water board will be spending a significant amount of money on maintaining and modernizing sewage treatment plants, among other things. In total, we will be spending €43.6 million on wastewater treatment in 2026. This will rise to €54.3 million in 2030. 
These expenses will be covered directly by the so-called purification levy. That part of the water board tax will therefore be spent specifically on our core statutory task: purifying wastewater. It is that part that will certainly result in higher rates for taxpayers in 2026. The total increase for households will be between €7 and €55 per year. This depends on whether it is a single-person or multi-person household and whether the household lives in an owner-occupied or rented home. 

Decision

On November 26, the general board will make a decision on the 2026 Annual Plan, including the setting of tax rates.