HHNK regulates land use by third parties
The Water Board has traditionally owned a lot of land. We have agreements with most land users, but not all. Since 2023, like many municipalities, we actively regulate land use by third parties for which no agreements have yet been made. Also this year, residents and organizations, who have often unintentionally started using the land, receive a proposal to buy, rent or return the land. This involves land that we do not need for Health for flood defenses, water quantity or water quality.
Within our working area, many lands have been taken into use without agreements over the past decades. These are often small fragmented pieces of green space or green areas attached to gardens and plots of private individuals, commercial buildings or farms. The General Board decided in February 2022 to offer these lands for sale or lease to current users. Improved technology now makes it possible to do this difficult, extensive job. "We are not doing this project to cost people or to make money. The Water Board Act states that the board of a water board must do whatever is necessary to prevent from loss of rights and possession, as well as prescription of property. In addition, the land use that is not regulated now violates our Land Policy. It leads to legal inequality for users of our properties where it is regulated," said Water Board member Simon Ruiter.
Pay attention when buying property
If you have just purchased a home or a plot of land and the State Water Board subsequently informs you that part of it does not belong to you, it can be an unpleasant surprise. This is why we recommend that before buying a house or a plot of land you check where the cadastral boundary of the plot is. Using the viewer below, you can see which land belongs to the Water Board.
For more information, see the Project Land Use page.
