Prohibition on the discharge of wastewater
Clean and healthy water is important for humans, animals, and nature. Our water is vulnerable; small ditches and canals are sensitive to pollution. If dirt gets into them, the water quickly becomes unbalanced. This is not always visible, but it is harmful. Polluted water attracts algae, starts to smell, and damages nature. Contamination of surface water can also cause problems when it is used to irrigate crops. Sometimes it even contains substances that are harmful to groundwater or to animals living in and around the ditch.
To further improve water quality, the water board has tightened the rules for discharges. A discharge ban will apply from January 1, 2026. Do you discharge domestic wastewater (toilet, shower, or kitchen) from your business or group accommodation via an existing facility into a small ditch or watercourse (known as secondary and tertiary water)? From 2026, this will no longer be permitted if the discharge is equivalent to 6 or more population equivalents (i.e.). This corresponds to the wastewater of approximately 6 or more people.
This prohibition does not apply to discharges from private homes. However, it does apply to discharges of domestic wastewater from businesses or accommodations housing more than one family.
Why are you receiving this information now?
The Water Board Regulation of 2024 already stipulates that discharges of domestic wastewater from businesses and group accommodations of 6 i.e. or more are no longer permitted. For existing situations, a transition period applies until January 1, 2026.
On this page, you will find information about the discharge ban and what it may mean for you.
Why this ban?
The discharge ban is in place to improve and protect water quality. Discharges of domestic wastewater into smaller ditches and canals (secondary and tertiary water) have an impact on our water. The water system is often unable to process these discharges.
What does this mean in concrete terms?
- Water and the waterbed become polluted and oxygen-depleted and can start to smell.
- Duckweed, algae, and bacteria start to grow. This is bad for fish and plants.
- Keeping our water clean is important for nature, recreation, health, agriculture, and animals that drink from ditches.
- If discharges continue, the water system cannot recover and ultimately higher costs will have to be incurred to make the water clean and healthy.
Clean and healthy water means a pleasant living environment, less odor, and lower social costs for everyone.
What does this mean for you?
Check whether you are subject to the ban.
1. Type of wastewater
This concerns commercial domestic wastewater (toilets, showers, kitchens, washing machines) that does not come from a normal residential home.
Examples: campsites, group accommodations, seasonal worker housing, care farms, holiday parks, private holiday homes, etc.
So: do you have a location where several people stay temporarily or permanently and where domestic wastewater is produced that is discharged into surface water? Then you may be subject to this ban.
2. Size of your discharge
Do you discharge 720 litre of wastewater litre day (0.72 m³) or more?
3. Where do you discharge?
The ban applies to discharges that discharge via an existing facility into smaller ditches and canals (secondary and tertiary water).
Different rules apply to the major main waterways (primary water).
Are you unsure? See the page Register water.
4. Ask for help
Not sure if this applies to you? Please contact HHNK at lozingsverbod@hhnk.nl. We will be happy to assist you.
What is no longer allowed?
- Direct discharge (whether or not via an existing facility) of domestic wastewater into small ditches and canals.
- Discharges from group accommodations or companies that together cause more than 6 i.e.
What is still allowed?
- Discharges that are smaller than 6 i.e. and otherwise comply with the rules set out in the Water Board Regulations.
- Discharges via a sewer connection.
- Collection/storage of domestic wastewater and disposal via a certified processor.
Who is responsible?
Do you have wastewater from a business or group accommodation? Then you are responsible for processing it carefully.
- Preference: connection to the sewage system.
- Alternative: storage and transport to one of the designated sewage treatment plants of the water board or to a certified waste processor via a transporter with a tanker truck. This requires a sufficiently large storage facility. The costs are at your own expense.
Arranged in 3 steps
1. Check your situation
Are you affected by the ban? Check the HHNK website or contact HHNK or your local municipality.
2. Choose a solution and arrange authorisation licence
- Select a solution, such as a sewer connection or storage and disposal via axle.
- For connection to the sewer system: request authorisation the municipality.
- For storage and transport to the sewage treatment plant: enter into an agreement with a transport company. This company must have an agreement with HHNK to be allowed to deliver wastewater.
3. Arrange this in good time
Don't wait until the last minute: this will help you avoid higher costs, environmental damage, and potential enforcement action.
Frequently asked questions
Does this also apply to my home?
No, private residences are exempt from this prohibition.
What does 6 i.e. mean?
This represents the total amount of wastewater produced on average by six people.
What if I do nothing?
Then you run the risk of enforcement and it may turn out to be more expensive.
Why is this ban in place?
Because clean water is important to all of us—for people, nature, agriculture, and recreation.
Want to know more?
For more information, see the pages: