Features and overview map

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority operates in a large part of Groningen, in North and Central Drenthe, and in a small part of Friesland. We contribute to safe living with water. We work to provide clean, healthy water and purified water, and ensure sufficient water in every season.

We use pumping stations to pump water into and out of the area. This helps us combat drought or high water levels, for example. We also treat the water used by residents and businesses.

With a working area of 144,000 hectares and a population of almost 400,000, we have an area full of challenges.  

  • For example, we have sea level rise north of our working area, for which we must keep our dikes safe.  
  • And the land subsidence in the middle of our area. This causes the water level to rise and makes it more difficult for us to drain water. 
  • We are also experiencing increasing periods of extreme drought and precipitation, and concerns about water quality.

In short: our water authority manages a unique area where all these developments have a major impact on our work. 

Where do we do our work?

Our working area covers North and West Groningen, Northwest Drenthe, and the entire Lauwersmeer. The area is located in the triangle between Lauwersmeer, via the Groningen-Fries border to Smilde, via the city of Groningen to Delfzijl, and via the Wadden Sea coast back to Lauwersoog.

Noorderzijlvest on the map

The map shows the working area of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority. This area is located in the triangle between:

  • A part of Groningen, north of the Eemskanaal and west of the Noord-Willemskanaal up to the Fries-Groningen border.
  • The northwestern part of the city of Groningen is also located within the management area.
  • A small part of the province of Groningen near Grootegast falls under the jurisdiction of Wetterskip Fryslân.
  • Part of North and Central Drenthe, between the Drenthe-Friesian border and the Noord-Willemskanaal and the Drentse Hoofdvaart to just beyond Smilde.
  • A piece of Friesland, the Frisian part of Lauwersmeer.

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