Why do we pay water rates?

We use the water rates to work on safe dykes and on protection against flooding. We also ensure sufficient and clean water in canals, ditches, lakes, and soil for agriculture, nature, and cities. Your situation determines the level of your water rates. 

Why do we pay water rates?

Water rates are rising. This trend is expected to continue for some time. This is because our work is becoming more expensive on all fronts and requires higher investments. 

In this animation, we explain what you contribute to by paying water rates to the water authority.

How much will I pay for water rates in 2026? 

Your water bill depends on your situation. For example: do you own or rent your home? How big is your family? Do you own a business? If so, you pay water rates for your business too. The amounts are determined each year and are known as water rates. Water rates

Which levies?

Your water bill water consists of various 'levies':

  • Water-treatment levy: this is used to clean the wastewater from your shower, toilet, and sink. You pay a water-treatment levy if you discharge all your wastewater into the municipal sewer system. You pay a water-treatment levy if you discharge all your wastewater into the municipal sewer system.
  • Pollution levy: this helps us keep rivers, creeks, small canals, ditches, and canals clean. It also applies to wastewater that is discharged directly into ditches or canals. You pay a pollution levy if you discharge your domestic or industrial wastewater directly into surface water.
  • Water-system levy: this is used to build and maintain dykes and pumping stations. We also create balancing lakes where we can store water when we have too much. You pay the water-system levy for residents if you are a user of residential space. You pay the water-system levy for developed, undeveloped, or natural areas if you are the owner of a home, commercial property, or piece of land.

Water-rates revenue

If we receive too much revenue, we do the following. We save the money for emergencies, such as a dyke breach. We only do this if we do not have enough money for such an emergency. Otherwise, we save the money and reduce your rates next year. If we receive too little revenue, we have to increase the rates next year.