Responsible for groundwater
Are you suffering from a groundwater level that is too high or too low? Do you have water in the crawl space or basement, rising damp in the walls or a soggy garden? Or problems with the foundation of your house? We explain who you can contact with your question or complaint.
The owner
As an owner, you are responsible for your own plot and everything built on it. For example, as an owner you must ensure that excess groundwater is drained away and that your basement is watertight (just like your roof). For questions and complaints, contact your municipality. If you have questions about groundwater drainage or surface water levels, contact the district water board.
The municipality
The municipality's job is to take action in the public area in the event of long-term or recurring groundwater problems. In order to understand the nature of groundwater problems, it is therefore important to report your complaints to the municipality. In addition, the municipality has the task of helping you as a property owner to drain excess water.
The State Water Board
The Water Board's duties that may affect groundwater levels include establishing and managing surface water levels and authorizing groundwater abstraction and groundwater extraction.
The province
North Holland Province grants permission for a specific group of groundwater withdrawals that may also affect groundwater levels. These include thermal storage systems involving groundwater pumping, groundwater withdrawals for drinking water and large groundwater withdrawals for industry.
The groundwater counter
The municipality makes sure that as a citizen you have a single point of contact for questions and complaints about groundwater. That is the groundwater counter. They have current data on groundwater and investigate your complaint. Based on the complaints, the municipalities can determine if the groundwater problems only occur with one owner, how long and how often the problems occur. Based on the reports, the municipality estimates a possible cause of the problems and considers whether it is necessary to involve the water board or the province. The municipality ensures that groundwater complaints reach the appropriate agency.
