2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

THE NETHERLANDS PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
that they are not strictly comparable. The Netherlands continues to face pollution problems in the
coastal areas due to the high effluent concentrations in the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt from
Belgium and Germany. For example, the river Meuse is highly polluted and is a major source of
nutrient pollution. The river Scheldt is the most polluted river flowing into the North Sea.
Freshwater
Annual availability (1998) 10.0km³
Per capita 5,797m 3
Annual withdrawal (1990) 7.8km³
Domestic 5%
Industrial 61%
Agriculture 34%
Costs and financing
Since 1995, there has been a ground water tax of €0.168 and a domestic usage tax of €0.136 per m³.
A water supply tax of €0.29 per m³ is also levied on water companies, who can pass it on to
customers. In addition, there are discharge related taxes. In all, these taxes raise some €320 million
per annum for water projects. Total annual spending on water and wastewater in 2001 was €5.4
billion, including €1 billion per annum by the Central Government for flood protection, €1.6 billion by
water boards on water and wastewater treatment (70%), water distribution (25%) and flood control
(5%), and €0.7 billion by municipalities on storm water and waste water management. Approximately
90% of costs are met through direct charging, with for example, sewage charges for municipal
customers rising from €313 million in 1991 to €1,435 million by 2001 with wastewater treatment
charges rising from €386 million to €987 million.
Groundwater
Annual availability (1998) 4.5km³
Per capita 286m 3
Annual withdrawal (1985) 1.1km³
Domestic 32%
Industrial 45%
Agriculture 23%
Privatisation prospects become confused
The 80 public water companies are currently being rationalised into 30 larger entities. In 1945, there
were 208 companies, so this is part of an ongoing programme. In addition, there are a number of
private permits granted to individuals, farms and industrial customers. The public sector is responsible
for at least 95% of all water provision, with all private permits being on a localised basis. Nearly 100%
of the population is connected to the public water distribution system, which is the highest share of all
European countries. The construction of new water purification plants has become very important in
recent years, due to the increasing problem of contaminated ground water (e.g. from agricultural and
industrial activity), the main source for drinking water. In September 2000, a Bill was passed which
outlawed public water companies in the Netherlands from handing over shares or control to non-public
bodies. Public water companies will retain exclusive rights to the production and distribution of
drinking water in their distribution area. In consequence, if Noun is privatised, its Dutch water activities
would have to be sold back to the state.
In October 2002, the €1.5 billion Delftland wastewater treatment concession for the Hague was
awarded to the Delfluent Consortium, led by Veolia Environnement (VE) (40%); two Dutch publicly
owned water distribution companies, Delta Water (20%) and Waterbedrijf Europoort (20%); Rabobank
(10%), Heijmans Betonen Waterbouw (5%) and Strukton (5%). The contract started in 2003 and
involves operating the existing plant at Houtrust and developing the new €258 million plant at
Harnaschpolder. VE (50%) will lead a JV, along with Delta Water (25%) and Waterbedrijf Europoort
(25%) for operating the facilities and 90km of sewerage network. Delftland serves The Hague and
surrounding areas. This will treat sewerage for 1.7million people. The 30 year contract involves €600
million of capital spending in total, designed to bring the region into line with EU standards to comply
with the UWWTD by 2005.
MAJOR CITIES
Population 2000 2015 Status
Amsterdam 1,105 1,115 PSP for water services illegal
Rotterdam 1,078 1,082 PSP for water services illegal
149 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006