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Water authority tax rates

The tax rates of Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden for can be found at BghU (collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht) using the contact form on the English language page or call 088-0640200 on working days from 09.00-17.00 or from 09.00-13.00 in the months July and August.

Which charges do you have to pay?

Water authority [name of water authority] charges the following types of charges:

Water treatment charge

You pay the water treatment charge if you are the owner or tenant of a residential property which is connected to the sewage system.

We impose the charge on each independent dwelling. This is a dwelling with its own kitchen, shower and toilet.

The water treatment charge is based on the number of people in your household. ‘Pollution units’ are used for this purpose. On average, three people live in a house in the Netherlands. Therefore, all multi-person households pay for three pollution units. Are you registered as a single occupant with your municipality? If so, you will pay for one pollution unit. We receive this data from your municipality.

Pollution charge

You pay the pollution charge if you are the owner or user of a dwelling which discharges wastewater into a brook or stream (surface water).

We calculate the pollution charge assessment in the same way as the water treatment charge.

Water system charge

You must pay the water system charge if you are the owner or tenant of a building (for example a residential property) or of land, such as agricultural land or a nature area.

There are different types of water system charge:

water system charge – residents (applicable only to private individuals);
water system charge – built-on land;
water system charge – land not built on;
water system charge – nature.

Depending on your situation, you must pay the following tax(es):

Are you registered with your municipality on 1 January of the tax year as the main resident of a dwelling? If so, you must pay the water system charge – residents.
The main resident of a rented or owner-occupied dwelling must pay that charge to the water authority for all the residents of that dwelling each year. ‘Main resident’ is to be understood as meaning the resident whose name appears on the purchase/rental agreement.
Do you own a building, such as a house, barn, shed or commercial building? If so, you must pay the water system charge – built-on land.
The water system charge – built-on land is calculated on the basis of the building’s WOZ value. That value is determined by the municipality on the basis of the Wet waardering onroerende zaken – WOZ (Valuation of Immovable Property Act).
Do you own land which has not been built on? If so, you must pay the water system charge – land not built on. ‘Land not built on’ is to be understood as meaning for example fields, arable land and pasturage.
The amount of tax that you must pay is determined by the value of the number of hectares of land that you own. You pay this charge if, on 1 January of a tax year, you are registered with the Land Registry Office as the owner, leaseholder, usufructuary or superficiary of land not built on, or the holder of a real ‘right of use and occupation’ over that land.
Are you the owner of a nature area? If so, you must pay the water system charge – nature. The Waterschapswet (Water Authorities Act) defines the term ‘nature’ as follows: ‘Immovable property which has not been built on and whose set-up and management are entirely – or almost entirely – and permanently geared to the preservation or development of nature’. Forests which are larger than 1 hectare also fall under the definition of nature. As does open water (lakes) with a surface area larger than 1 hectare and an ‘open and expansive character’.

The surface area of the land determines the amount of the water system charge – nature which you must you pay. Owners of buildings located in a nature area simply receive the water system charge – built-on land assessment.

The procedure

How do you receive your tax assessment?

Do you use MijnOverheid? Then you will receive the tax assessment digitally via the Berichtenbox (Message Box). To log in to the Message Box, you need a DigiD. Do you not have a DigiD yet? Apply for one via Apply for a DigiD. Important: You can only apply for a DigiD if you are registered as a Dutch citizen.

Are you not yet registered for the Message Box? Then you will receive your tax assessment by post.

When will you receive your tax assessment?

You usually receive the water authority tax assessment within the first 6 months of the calendar year. The assessment covers the whole year.

Costs and payments

How much water authority tax do you have to pay?

Exactly how much water authority tax you have to pay each year depends on your personal situation. This includes, for example, whether you live in an owner-occupied or rented house, how many people live there, how the house is connected to the sewerage system and whether you own land which has not been built on or a nature area.

Water authority tax when moving house

If you move to the area of another water authority during the year and have already paid the water treatment charge and pollution charge, you can request a refund. This is because you will pay tax to the water authority in your new area as soon as you move.

The water system charge is not refunded when you move house.

Water authority tax rates

The tax rates of Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden for can be found at BghU (a collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht) using the contact form on the English language page or call 088-0640200 on working days from 09.00-17.00 or from 09.00-13.00 in the months July and August.

Are you unable to pay the water authority tax?

If you are struggling to pay your water authority tax assessment on time, you can agree with the water authority to pay the tax in instalments.

Applying for a payment arrangement or relief

Are you unable to pay the water authority tax? If so, apply for (partial) relief. You may be eligible for full or partial tax relief if you

cannot pay your tax assessment in full or in part;
have no assets;
pay less to other creditors than you should according to the Tax Administration.

To set up a payment arrangement or apply for relief, please contact BghU (a collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht).

Would you like to apply for relief digitally?

You can request relief through BghU (a collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht).

Please use “Mijn BghU”on the BghU website. You need your DigiD to log in. If you do not have a DigiD, you can request one here. Please note: only Dutch citizens can apply for a DigiD.

You can also call us on 0640200 on working days from 09.00-17.00 or from 09.00-13.00 in the months July and August.

Complete your application for relief via [provide name and hyperlink]. You need a DigiD to do this. Do you not have a DigiD yet? Apply for one via Apply for a DigiD. Important: You can only apply for a DigiD if you are registered as a Dutch citizen.

Objection and appeal

Objecting to a tax assessment

Do you disagree with your tax assessment? You can lodge a complaint with BghU within 6 weeks (BghU is a collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht). You can lodge your complaint in writing by sending it to Postbus 5150, 3502 JD Utrecht.

Paying water authority tax and managing your tax affairs

Do you have a question about water authority tax? Would you like to view your assessment or pay by direct debit, for example? Would you like to notify a change of address, apply for relief or lodge an objection?

You can manage all your tax affairs via (a collaboration between the municipality and the water authority Utrecht) using the contact form on the English language page or call 088-0640200 on working days from 09.00-17.00 or from 09.00-13.00 in the months July and August.