Positive result of €3.5 million: water authority continues to invest

Positive result for 2024

The water authority 2024 with a positive result of €3.5 million, according to its 2024 Annual Report. This was due in part to lower personnel costs as a result of later recruitment, lower purchasing costs for chemicals, lower energy costs, and more favorable borrowing conditions. The water authority €140 million in 2024, which is more than ever before. This is partly due to the implementation of many large projects, including the reinforcement of the Lauwersmeer dike, Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp, and the new treatment plant at Gaarkeuken. Many other major projects, such as the modernization of our largest treatment plant in Garmerwolde, land development in the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier, and measures to improve water quality in the Paterswoldsemeer, among other places, also contributed to the high level of investment. The water authority able water authority realize 92% of its planned gross investments in 2024.

Framework for 2026 budget - €1.5 million to cushion tax rate increase

Along with the Annual Report, the Executive Committee also Bestuur of Directors the Framework Letter with the financial outlook to the Bestuur of Directors . In doing so, the Executive Committee provides a framework for drawing up the budget for 2026 and beyond. In the Framework Letter, the Executive Committee outlines that the water authority invest in projects that contribute to what the water authority stands water authority : safe, clean, healthy, and sufficient water in every season. However, it is important to prioritize. Not everything can be done at once. The Board wants to remain agile in developments that require our attention, such as the presence of beavers in parts of our region we want to prevent damage to flood defences possible. The system adjustment in Lauwersmeer for an appropriate fresh/salt transition will continue to require attention. The same applies to the major efforts to improve water quality, which will be assessed after 2027 when the third planning period of the Water Framework Directive expires. The adjustment of the code of conduct in management and maintenance, whereby the clearing of watercourses is watercourses longer possible everywhere, also requires us to adapt our way of working. And the control of exotic species requires more and more time and effort. Our work on new tasks for a climate-proof area will increase now that the importance of water and soil is becoming an increasingly prominent part of the social debate. The expected increase in water rates the coming year is between 6 and 10% on average for a family. In the Annual Plan for the current year 2025, it has already been agreed that, up to and including 2027, €1 million of the positive operating results will be used each year to mitigate the rate increase. As a result of the new positive result, the executive committee proposes to increase that amount to €1.5 million for the next three years. This principle will therefore also be incorporated into the 2026 Annual Plan.

Inspection of sea dykes flood defences the coast

Work on waterproofing the future the management and maintenance of our sea dykes regional flood defences continues every day. This includes periodic inspections flood defences the safety of the flood defences . Over the past six months, the water authority carried out inspections throughout the region .
Almost 60 kilometers of the sea dyke inspected; the 9-kilometer section between Lauwersmeer and Vierhuizergat is currently being reinforced and was not included in this round of inspections. The conclusion is that the dyke meets safety standards. At Eemshaven, the asphalt covering on the sea side over a length of 2 kilometers is no longer adequate after 50 years of service and needs to be replaced. Measures are also needed on the dyke the Oostpolder over a length of more than a kilometer. Strictly speaking, this dyke still dyke the standards. 
The water authority in talks to schedule the repairs in time for the national Flood Protection Program (HWBP). The HWBP provides for the reinforcement of all primary sea defences in the country by 2050; in the Noorderzijlvest area, the Eemshaven-Delfzijl section was completed within this programme in 2019. The reinforcement of the Lauwersmeer-Vierhuizergat section is currently being carried out.

region has around 450 kilometers of flood defences watercourses, farmland, balancing lakes, nature reserves, and quays in urban areas. Around 250 kilometers of these were inspected this spring. Most of these flood defences owned by third parties. Some parts of these flood defences overgrown because mowing is carried out less frequently in order to stimulate biodiversity. The water authority in favor of improving biodiversity, but at the same time recognizes that excessive overgrowth makes inspection more difficult. The water authority not encounter any major defects during this round of inspections. However, owners and managers of flood defences asked more emphatically to prevent excessive overgrowth and to remove small trees and shrubs, for example.

Beavers are present along the route at Hoornsedijk – Meerweg. According to the protocol agreed between provinces and water boards, beavers are allowed to live here. However, the situation at this location is cause for concern. Damage caused by beavers digging can lead to significant flooding. The water authority measures to prevent the risk of major damage in this beaver habitat.

Decision-making at the meeting of July 9

The Bestuur of Directors adopt the Annual Report and the Management Letter during the decision-making meeting on July 9. The inspections of the flood defences accepted for information and sent to the supervisory authorities after this meeting.