Responsible for groundwater
Are you experiencing problems with groundwater levels that are too high or too low? Do you have water in your crawl space or basement, rising damp in your walls, or a soggy garden? Or are you having problems with the foundations of your house? We explain who you can contact with your question or complaint.
The owner
As the owner, you are responsible for your own plot of land and everything built on it. For example, as the owner, you must ensure that excess groundwater is drained away and that your basement is waterproof (just like your roof). If you have any questions or complaints, please contact your local municipality. If you have any questions about groundwater drainage or surface water levels, please contact the water board.
The municipality
The municipality is responsible for taking measures in public areas in the event of long-term or recurring groundwater problems. To gain insight into the nature of the groundwater problems, it is therefore important to report your complaints to the municipality. In addition, the municipality is responsible for helping you, as the landowner, to drain excess water.
The water board
The tasks of the water board that may affect the groundwater level consist of determining and managing surface water levels and granting authorisation groundwater extraction and groundwater drainage.
The province
The Province of North Holland grants authorisation a specific group of groundwater extractions that may also affect groundwater levels. These include heat and cold storage systems that pump groundwater, groundwater extractions for drinking water, and large-scale groundwater extractions for industry.
The Groundwater Desk
The municipality ensures that citizens have a single point of contact for questions and complaints about groundwater. This is the groundwater desk. They have up-to-date information about groundwater and will investigate your complaint. Based on the complaints, the municipalities can determine whether the groundwater problems only occur at one property, how long and how often the problems occur. Based on the reports, the municipality will assess the possible cause of the problems and consider whether it is necessary to involve the water board or the province. The municipality ensures that complaints about groundwater are forwarded to the appropriate authority.
