The Non-Competitive Necessity
Unlike the competitive markets for gas and electricity, the supply of drinking water (drinkwater) in the Netherlands is handled by a network of regional public monopolies. Every address falls within the service area of a single waterbedrijf (water company), meaning tenants have no choice of supplier. This lack of competition doesn't necessarily mean high prices—Dutch tap water is renowned for its high quality and is relatively affordable—but it does mean the billing structure is rigid and non-negotiable. The waterkosten (water costs) that appear on your bill are a combination of what you use and a series of fixed charges and taxes that can be surprisingly complex. Forgetting to register with the local water company upon moving in is a common administrative oversight that can lead to back-billing and administrative headaches down the line.
Breaking Down the Water Bill
A typical water bill is comprised of several components. The first is the variable consumption cost, priced per cubic meter (per m³) of water used. This is measured by a water meter, usually located in a meter cupboard (meterkast) or a cellar space. The second component is a fixed annual charge, often called vastrecht. This is a fee for the connection to the water main and the maintenance of the network, which you have to pay regardless of how much water you use. So, even if you are away for several months, you will still receive a bill for this fixed component. The billing is usually done via a monthly or quarterly advance payment (voorschot) based on the previous resident's consumption, followed by an annual settlement (jaarafrekening) once you provide an actual meter reading. It's the tenant's responsibility to provide this reading when requested; failure to do so will result in an estimated, and often inflated, bill.
The Hidden Cost: Water Board Tax
One of the most common points of confusion for new residents and expats is the waterschapsbelasting, or water board tax. This is not the bill for your drinking water. It is a separate tax levied by the regional water board (waterschap or hoogheemraadschap). This organization is responsible for water management in the broadest sense: managing dikes and flood defenses, maintaining surface water quality (in canals and ditches), and treating wastewater. The tax bill, which arrives separately from your drinking water bill, is usually split into a few parts: a water system levy (watersysteemheffing) and a water purification levy (zuiveringsheffing). For tenants, this is a mandatory tax. The amount is typically calculated based on the number of people living in the household (or a fixed estimate for single-person households). Many tenants are caught off guard by this substantial annual bill, mistakenly believing all water-related costs were covered by their G/W/L payments. Landlords and rental agents rarely mention this tax, leaving tenants to discover it on their own.
Disputes and Responsibilities
While you cannot dispute the rates, you can dispute the consumption reading. An unusually high water bill can be a sign of a hidden leak somewhere in the property's plumbing. In this scenario, the responsibility can be a grey area. The tenant is responsible for reporting the suspected leak to the landlord immediately. The landlord is generally responsible for repairing the pipes, as they are part of the building's structure. However, the tenant is usually still liable for paying for the water that was lost, unless they can prove the landlord was negligent in making repairs after being notified. This can lead to frustrating disputes. Furthermore, in some older apartment buildings, there may not be individual water meters for each unit. Instead, there is one master meter for the whole building. In this case, the total consumption is divided among the apartments, either equally or based on a formula (verdeelsleutel). This system is inherently unfair, as a frugal single resident may end up subsidizing the water use of a large family next door. If you're moving into such a building, be aware that you have very little control over your final water bill.
