# Water rates set to rise again in 2027

> Families in owner-occupied homes will pay a few tens of euros more, tenants 7% more on average and farmers about 7.5% more, as the 21 water boards set their 2027 rates.

Economy · published 2026-11-09 08:54 · updated 2026-11-09 10:27 · https://nlnow.nl/a/water-board-tax-rises-again-in-2027-for-owners-and-tenants/

The water rates that pay for dikes, water levels and wastewater treatment are going up again next year. Families with an owner-occupied home will pay a few tens of euros more in 2027, according to the Unie van Waterschappen, the umbrella body of the country's water boards (waterschappen).

**Why it matters**

- Homeowners with a family: a few tens of euros more in 2027.
- Tenants: 7% more on average.
- Farmers and conservation groups: about 7.5% more.

All 21 water boards are now setting their rates for 2027. The Unie van Waterschappen bases its forecast on the proposals now before each board.

Floor Wissing-Kunst, board member for finance at the Unie van Waterschappen, said: "Extreme weather is putting our work under huge pressure." She said dry periods, when enough fresh water cannot be taken for granted, alternate with periods of heavy rain.

At the same time, she said, the boards keep investing in strong dikes and cleaner treatment of wastewater. They are also preparing for new threats such as long power cuts and cyberattacks, because pumping stations and treatment plants must keep running to prevent flooding or pollution.

## Background

- **Unie van Waterschappen**: The Union of Water Boards is the umbrella body that represents the country's water boards (waterschappen) in discussions with national government and on their shared interests. It coordinates common positions for the water boards, including on the water board taxes they set. Its position matters here because it speaks for all the regional water authorities collectively.
- **waterschap**: A water board is a regional public authority in the Netherlands responsible for managing water in its area, including dikes (dijken), water levels, and wastewater treatment. Each water board has an elected council and is funded largely by a water board tax (waterschapsbelasting) paid by property owners and users in its area. Because the tax is levied on homes and other property, changes to it affect households directly.

From NLnow, news from the Netherlands in English. How stories are made: https://nlnow.nl/about/