Organisation of the water sector
Who is doing what in the water sector of the Netherlands? Who is responsible for dikes, sluices and dams, who makes and who implements the Dutch water policy?
Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
With its mission 'Trusted with water, progressive in connections', the ministry stands for protection of the Netherlands against negative influences of water, and providing it with safe, world-class connections. Read more about the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management...
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment
The ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment is 'Working for a permanent quality of the living environment'. The ministry is responsible for co-ordinating environmental policy at government level. However, unlike in many other countries several other ministries have environmental tasks too, for example in the field of water quality and nature management. Read more about the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment...
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
Sufficient clean water is of vital importance for agriculture, nature, recreation and fisheries. Water will ask for attention the coming years. In giving water more space and improving its quality, the country side is given a positive impulse.
Read more about the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality...
Ministry of Economic Affairs
The ministry of Economic Affairs is an important player when it comes to innovation in the water sector. Water has been pinpointed by the government as one of the four key areas for innovation in the Netherlands. The ministry is aiming to enlarge the Dutch share in the international water market. Read more about the Ministery of Economic Affairs...
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Netherlands supports developing countries in the construction of drinking water and sanitation facilities and in the provision of affordable, small-scale, water-efficient irrigation systems. We also support these countries in the field of integrated water management – dealing with flooding, water shortages and water pollution, while at the same time paying attention to water use in households, agriculture, industry and nature. We help countries to carry out the necessary reforms in the water sector and to increase their knowledge of water management. Read more about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
Directorate-General for Water Affairs
The Directorate-General for Water Affairs (DG Water) is responsible for arranging and maintaining a sustainable water system at a cost that is acceptable to society. DG Water focuses on a joint approach to the national water issue by various public and private parties. What society considerable acceptable (in terms of benefits and costs) determines what can, must and will happen. DG Water has developed its own long-term vision: the course for water policy well into the 21st century. The most important goals are ensuring there is enough water of sufficiently quality, protecting against and anticipating floods and excess water. Focal points are Water and Safety, Water and Quality, Water and Spatial Development, Water and Use Functions, Water and River Basin Management, Water and Administratieve Organisation Instrumentation. Read more on the Directorate-General for Water Affairs...
Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management
The Directorate-General (Rijkswaterstaat or RWS) is the implementing organisation of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and works to protect against flooding and to provide sufficient clean water for all users. RWS also promotes the rapid and safe flow of traffic on national roads and waterways.
Read more on the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management...
Transport and Water Management Inspectorate
The Transport and Water Management Inspectorate monitors and promotes safety in transport by road, water, air and rail. It issues permits and supervises compliance with legislation and regulations. The inspectorate's supervisory functions are divided over twelve supervisory areas. Read more on the Transport and Water Management Inspectorate...
Provinces
In co-operation with 'Rijkswaterstaat' and the waterboards, the provinces are responsible for the surface water with regard to transport, (swimming) water quality, waste water treatment and managing the groundwater levels.
Municipalities
Municipalities have various responsibilities. Related to water, the municipalities take care for waste water discharge and safeguarding urban water.
Waterboards
In addition to protection agains flooding and managing the quantity of the water, the Dutch waterboards also safeguard the quality of surface water. The waterboards are represented by the association of dutch waterboards (Unie van Waterschappen).
Read more on the waterboards on the website of the UVW...