Placing or removing culverts: what you need to know

To find out what applies to your work, we always recommend doing the Permit Check. That way you will immediately know what other rules apply, for example from the municipality. 

Permit Check

Below you will find what is expected of you at each step of the Permit Check and helpful tips for best results. 

Beforehand: Keep the information about your plans handy

Health that you have the data on your plans handy. This data can help you answer the questions correctly.

Step 1: Select location

Choose the location of your work. Search on the address or zoom in on the Map. Then use the "Draw an area on the Map" option in the upper left corner of the Map to accurately mark the location.

Tip: Accurately drawing the location ensures better results from the Permit Check.

Step 2: Choose work activities

Choose the work you want to perform. Search for 'Diver' and choose from the following options:

• Construct or modify dam, culvert, or dam with culvert
• Remove dam or culvert

Will you do any other work during your project? Then choose these activities as well.

Step 3: Answering questions

Go through the questionnaire and answer the questions. Questions that are not important in your situation will drop out automatically. Read the notes carefully to answer the questions correctly.

Tip: Not all explanations are shown immediately. There will be a green i that you can click on to show the explanation.

Step 4: Permit Check Results.

You will see an action list. Under the following headings of the action list you will find what applies in your situation:

• Permit application: If a permit requirement applies
• Reporting and providing information: If general rules with a duty to provide information apply.

Is there nothing from the State Water Board under these points in the result? Then you only have to comply with the duty of care. 

Tip: Use the "Download Action List" button to download it. Add it later as an attachment to your permit application or when you provide information. This will help us better process your application.

Follow-up: starting application

Use "Request and Prepare" button to begin your request or information immediately. The location and appropriate forms will then be chosen immediately based on the result.

Tip: Even if you do not want to proceed immediately, it is convenient to start ahead of time. After you complete step 1, your progress is saved and you can continue later with the appropriate forms.

If general rules apply to your situation, you may begin your work without permission. However, you must follow the rules that apply to this activity. Below you can read which rules these are:

Rules when installing a culvert

The following rules apply when installing a culvert:

Duty to inform

• You give us information about the planned work fifteen days before installing a culvert. 
• Within two weeks of completing the work, you will provide us with information on whether the work has been completed and any changed information from the initial report. 

Size and capacity of culvert

• The culvert has a length of up to 15 meters.
• The culvert has an internal diameter of at least 1.2 m. 
• The inside bottom of the culvert will be placed at 0.8 m below the lowest applicable target level on site.
• A culvert in a water system serviced by boating has:
  • A minimum passage profile with a width of 2.50 meters.
  • A minimum headroom of 1.10 meters relative to the local highest applicable target level.
  • a minimum water depth of 0.90 meters relative to the local lowest applicable target level.
• For recreational waterways, the minimum headroom referred to in the environmental ordinance or environmental plan shall be maintained.

Water level

The culvert will be placed so that the water level and level management on both sides of the culvert remain the same.

Protection of the surface water body

• The bank on either side of the culvert shall be finished, landscaped and maintained so as to be stable and prevent sagging or leaching.
• Management and maintenance of the culvert and surface water within 3 meters around the culvert shall be performed by or on behalf of the initiator or legal successor.

Surface water body maintenance

To maintain proper maintenance of the surface water body, the location of the structure must comply with the Maintenance Guidelines of the Water Board Ordinance. See the page Maintenance of waterways and structures: what you need to do.

Rules when removing a culvert

The following rules apply when removing a culvert:

Duty to inform

You give us information about the planned work fifteen days before removing a culvert. 

Protection of the surface water body

• The bank on either side of the culvert shall be finished, landscaped and maintained so as to be stable and prevent sagging or leaching.
• Management and maintenance of the culvert and surface water within 3 meters around the culvert shall be performed by or on behalf of the initiator or legal successor.

Removal of culvert

A culvert that loses its function in the water system is removed in consultation with the State Water Board.

Surface water body maintenance

To maintain proper maintenance of the surface water body, the location of the structure must comply with the Maintenance Guidelines of the Water Board Ordinance. See the page Maintenance of waterways and structures: what you need to do.

The duty of care applies to all work. The duty of care obliges you to prevent damage to water safety, water quality and water quantity. If you comply with the permit obligation or the general rules, you usually also comply with the duty of care. If these rules do not apply, you assess whether your activities comply with them. If in doubt, you can request a tailor-made regulation. See the Duty of Care page : what you need to know.

You can apply for a tailor-made regulation through the Environment Desk if you deviate from the rules or need help to comply with the duty of care. The customized regulation provides clear guidelines so that you always comply with the duty of care. See the page Maatwerkvoorschrift: what you need to know.

You can request a custom rule for the following rules:

• Size and capacity of culvert
• Water level
• Protection of the surface water body
• Surface water body maintenance
• Removal of culvert

In order to process your application or for you to comply with the obligation to provide information, we need certain information and documents. What these are depends on your situation. Below you can read what information and documents you need to provide and how they are requested: as an attachment or via the form.

Tip: Gather all necessary data and documents before you begin your application or giving information.

Inform afterwards

To fulfill the duty to inform, you must also inform us afterwards. This is mainly confirming that the work has been done. Only if something has changed about the information should you give it again. For this you can use the same form.

Always mandatory

The following information and documents are always required:

• Schedule of work (in form or attached)
• Situation drawing, Map or aerial photograph of the site (attached)

Required when installing a culvert 

The following documents are required for the installation of a culvert:

• Construction drawing of the culvert, with the following information:
  • Length of culvert (in meters)
  • Internal height or diameter (in meters)
  • Internal width or diameter of culvert (in meters)
  • Elevation of the inner bottom of the culvert on the downstream side (meters NAP)
  • Elevation of the interior underside of the structure on the upstream side (meters NAP)
  • Shape of the tube
    • Round
    • Rectangular

Required data and document when requesting custom rule

To request a custom rule, you must provide the following information in addition to the above:

• Which rule you want to deviate from (in form)
• Brief explanation of why you want to deviate from the rule (in form)
• Explanations for deviation from rules and proposed alternative measures (attached)

The document must contain the following information:

• Why you cannot comply with the rule: A detailed description of the specific circumstances that make it impossible or impractical for you to comply with the rule. 
• Your proposed alternative action: Description of the alternative action you intend to take to comply with the applicable duty of care.
• How you plan to meet the applicable duty of care with the alternative measure: Explanation of how your proposed measure will be effective in meeting the Water Board's duty of care.

Through "Applications" on the Environment Desk, you can apply for a permit or custom rule and provide information to fulfill the information requirement.

Request

Below you will find an explanation of what is expected of you at each step, along with helpful tips on how to do this as well and completely as possible. If you have proceeded with the application after the Permit Check, Step 2 and Step 3 have already been completed for you.

Beforehand: prepare well

Health that you are well prepared before beginning the application or providing information. Gather in advance all the information and documents you need. 

Tip: You can submit a draft request before making your request or providing the requested information. This way, you can have it verified that your request is complete.

Step 1: Create project

Give your project a name and describe the work you want to do. This will help the State Water Board classify your application correctly.

Tip: Keep the description clear and specific to reduce the likelihood of additional questions.

Step 2: Select location

Choose the location of your project by searching by address or zooming in on the Map. Then use the "Draw an area on the Map" option in the upper left corner to accurately mark the location.

Tip: Zoom in enough to draw the area as accurately as possible.

Step 3: Choosing activities

Choose the forms for the activities required for your application or providing information. Search for "Diver" and choose from one of the following options:

• Permit applications: install, retain or remove access dam - Permit application (Water Board)
• Meeting information requirements: Place, retain or remove access dam - Information (Water Board)
• Application for custom rule: Install, retain or remove access dam - Custom rule (Water Board)

Also choose any other forms needed for your project.

Tip: Check carefully that you have selected all the necessary forms to submit a complete application. That way you won't have to supplement your application afterwards.

Step 4: Answering questions

Please answer all questions as completely as possible. This will allow us to properly handle your application or the information you provide. This will prevent additional questions later during processing. Questions that are not important to your project will fall away automatically.

Tip: Take the time to fill out the questions properly. This will ensure that only the important attachments are asked in the next step.

Step 5: Add documents

Attach the requested documents as attachments. If a document contains several parts, this document only needs to be added once per form. Each form is distinguished by its name so that it is clear which attachment belongs to which request.

Tip: Make sure the documents meet the requirements (such as file type and size) of the Environment Counter.

Step 6: Enter contact information

Please enter your contact information. A phone number and e-mail address are required. Your request cannot be processed without this information.

Tip: Use contact information where you can be reached quickly for any additional questions.

Step 7: Submitting your application

Decide whether you want to submit the request or information immediately or submit a draft request first. A draft request is useful if you want to check that all the information is correct before actually starting processing.

• Step 7a: Select which forms you want to submit, if there are more than one. It is not mandatory to submit everything at once. For example, you may choose to apply for a permit first and comply with the information requirement later.
• Step 7b: Choose whether to submit a final application or prefer to submit a draft request first. With a draft request, the deadline for the application process does not start yet, giving you time to complete any missing information.
• Step 7c: In the last section, you answer questions about contacting other parties involved in your project. There are also some questions about any additional information you can provide to make the application clearer.

Tip: Choose a draft request if you are still unsure about the completeness of your request.

Overview of costs

• Permit application: € 109 for the first culvert and € 54 per each additional culvert.
• Custom prescription: € 109 for the first diver and € 54 per each additional diver.
• Processing information duty: free of charge.

Note: If your application is denied or withdrawn, you must still pay these fees.

Processing deadlines

• Permit and custom order: processing time of eight weeks. In case of incomplete applications, processing is temporarily stopped.
• Information requirement: no fixed processing time. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and, if necessary, a request for additional information.

The installation or removal of a culvert often accompanies other activities, such as:

• Install or remove access dam