Maintenance of bank-protection works

Responsibility for maintenance depends on the situation

If you want to modify or replace sheet piling, an embankment wall, or a sheet pile wall, you need a permit from the water authority. To obtain the permit, we look at who needs the bank-protection work and therefore becomes responsible for its maintenance. That is the basic rule. So you only have to deal with the new rules when existing bank-protection work is replaced and a new permit is required. There are three possible situations:

1. Water authority is responsible for maintenance
2. Adjacent owner is responsible for maintenance.
3. Both parties are responsible for maintenance

Do you own a plot of land located on the waterfront? The rules for constructing and maintaining embankment walls, sheet piling, and sheet pile walls along the main watercourses have changed. We explain the three situations below.

Who needs the bank-protection works?

That is the question we ask every time we have to determine who is responsible for maintenance.
This is an important point in the new rules we have drawn up for the construction and maintenance of bank-protection works. We call this policy.

The water authority only needs protection with a bank-protection structure if:

1. The watercourse is  not wide and deep enough, which means that the water cannot continue to flow sufficiently.
2. In the immediate vicinity, there is a flood defence that must be protected. This prevents
   flooding.
3. There is a maintenance path that belongs to the water authority between the watercourse and your land. We use the maintenance path when we carry out maintenance along the watercourse.

You may need protection to safeguard your garden, home, or other properties. Below are a number of images with examples.

Water authority is responsible for maintenance

The image 'Interests of the water authority' shows that the water authority needs the bank-protection works. In this situation, it is necessary to protect a flood defence (the dyke). This means that the water authority is responsible for maintenance and bears the costs. When determining who needs the bank-protection works, it does not matter who owns the land on which it is built.

Adjacent owner is responsible for maintenance

The image 'Adjacent owner' shows that the owner of the land adjacent to the watercourse needs the bank-protection works. In this situation, it is necessary to protect the land on which the house is built. The watercourse is wide and deep enough to allow water to flow away properly. This means that the adjacent owner is responsible for maintenance and bears the costs. When determining who needs the bank protection, it does not matter who owns the land on which it is built.

Both parties are responsible for maintenance.

The image 'Interests of adjacent owner and water authority' shows that the owner of the land adjacent to the watercourse and the water authority need the bank-protection works. In this situation, it is necessary to protect the land on which the house is built. The watercourse not wide and deep enough to allow water to flow away properly. This means that both parties are responsible for maintenance. We reach agreements about this together. When determining who needs the bank-protection works, it does not matter who owns the land on which it is built. In the case of shared responsibility, we always pay for the part that is necessary for our protection. If that is sufficient for you, there are no additional costs. It is possible that you may need a different construction. The additional costs will then be paid by you. When the time comes, we discuss this too and record the agreements we made.

Area processes

Landowners next to the main water system might be affected by the new policy for maintaining bank-protection works and the related financial consequences. We will inform stakeholders by means of areas processes and chat with them about what the new regulations mean. We will also put new agreements in writing. This makes it clear who is responsible for what maintenance, including in the future.
In 2024, area processes are happening in the councils of Eemsdelta and Het Hogeland. In 2025, the councils of Groningen and Westerkwartier will follow.

More information

• Frequently asked questions Bank-protection policy.pdf (Dutch only)
• The maintenance register lists who is responsible for the maintenance of each watercourse, embankment, and dyke. More information about the Maintenance Register.  

Do you have questions about the new regulations for the maintenance of sheet piling, embankment walls, or sheet pile walls along main watercourses? Or would you like to know more about the area approach? Please email us at onderhoudoevers@noorderzijlvest.nl or write to us at: Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, Postbus 18, 9700 AA Groningen.

We will contact you as soon as possible.