Water Board Ordinance 2026 amendments available for review

Every year there is an update of the Water Board Ordinance. Changes in the draft 2026 Water Board Ordinance include changes to surface water, fish stocking and withdrawal, groundwater and seasonal beach construction. For example, the rules for digging new surface water and widening existing surface water have been modified. In sloping areas and areas with dry beds, the widening of surface water requires a permit to prevent the erosion of ditch bottoms and an increase in seepage. In other areas, we match the space required for floating maintenance. For the release and withdrawal of fish, written agreements between HHNK and the initiator are sufficient and a fish plan is no longer obligatory, but still possible.

As far as groundwater is concerned, the restriction area vulnerable groundwater has been reduced and limited to Natura 2000 areas with a buffer zone in the inner dune edge and Texel and Wieringen. The termination of a groundwater extraction must be reported. Also, the water to be discharged may not be saltier than the receiving surface water. This way the water quality is better protected against salinization. From now on, all seasonal beach construction works will again require a permit. Because of the dynamic nature of the dune foot, in some cases there was a permit requirement and sometimes an information requirement with the necessary administration for the notifier each year. With a permit, permission is regulated for several years. The permit requirement for the application of soil or building materials on flood defenses was missing from the Water Board Ordinance and has now been added. On high ground, rules for laying cables and pipes have been relaxed because the risk to the water barrier at these locations is zero.

Project 'When to compensate when raising' 

The proposed implementation of the measure raise = compensate was not included in the Water Board Ordinance last year and it will not be this year. We are in discussion with various stakeholders on how to implement the measure. The usefulness and necessity of the measure remain unchanged. At the end of 2025 a decision will be made on the preferred scenario to be included in the public participation process for the amendment Water Board Ordinance 2027. 

Learn more

The draft amendments to the Water Board Ordinance HHNK 2026, with accompanying documents, will be available for inspection for six weeks from September 24, 2025 at our headquarters, Stationsplein 136 in Heerhugowaard and digitally.

There will also be an online information session on Wednesday, October 15, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. where you can ask questions. You can register for this at omgevingswet or by telephone on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. via the general telephone number 072 5828282.

Views 

During the public inspection period, you can respond to the amendments. You can submit your view(s) to the College of Dike Counts and Water Boards in the following ways: 

• In writing by mail. Send your views to Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, attn. Team Omgevingswet, Postbus 250, 1700 AG Heerhugowaard.
• Digital. You can find the appropriate web form on the Submit a View page.
• Oral. You can Make an appointment an appointment for this by emailing omgevingswet A record will be made of your views.