Regional water authority by-law

Do you have land near a water defence (dikes and embankments) or waterway (for example ditches and rivers) in the Netherlands? The Regional Water Authority by-law (keur, in Dutch) states what is and is not permitted. You can check which 'keur' applies to your region with your regional water authority (water board, in Dutch). You can check the 'keur' online in many cases.

The by-law affects you if you have land or want to carry out (construction) work in the vicinity of a water defence or waterway. The rules are more strict, the closer you are to a water defence or waterway. If you are the owner or user of land near a water defence or a waterway, you must cooperate in the maintenance.

This by-law is incorporated in the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet). It is now called water board regulation.

Reporting activities

Th water board has general rules on activities near a water defence or waterway. If you comply with these rules, you have to notify the Regional Water Authority (in Dutch) of your activities. If you do not comply with these rules, you will need a water permit.

Damages due to water management activities

Do you suffer damages as a result of activities in water management? You can apply for compensation to the authority that carries out the work.