Brabant water authorities ease water storage requirement in built-up areas |
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Following feedback mainly from municipalities, proposed standard reduced from 100 to 80 millimetres
The three water authorities in the Dutch province of Brabant are adjusting their new water storage rules following feedback from municipalities and other stakeholders. In built-up areas, the proposed compensation requirement for new paved surfaces will be reduced from 100 to 80 millimetres. The revised draft of the water authority regulations is open for consultation until 18 September.
| A swale - image for illustration, generated with AI |
The new rules are intended to ensure that more water is retained as part of new developments and that built-up areas become more resilient to extreme weather. They apply to developments including new roads, car parks and buildings. Before drawing up the draft regulations, the water authorities Aa en Maas, De Dommel and Brabantse Delta consulted municipalities, the provincial government, businesses and interest groups, among others.
Transitional arrangement following municipal feedback
Municipalities in particular raised concerns about the requirements for paved surfaces. In addition to lowering the standard within built-up areas, a transitional arrangement will therefore be introduced. For plans already in the design phase, the current standards may continue to be used for another five years. For plans for which a permit has already been granted, a transitional period of three years will apply.
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In built-up areas, the proposed water storage requirement will be reduced from 100 to 80 millimetres
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Step by step towards a higher standard
The water authorities are maintaining their ambition to ultimately increase water storage capacity. Over the next four years, they will work with municipalities and other parties on further steps towards the previously proposed 100-millimetre standard. Outside built-up areas, the proposed compensation requirement will remain unchanged.
The regulations will also clarify how the required water storage capacity can be achieved. Various measures are possible, including swales, green roofs, infiltration systems and permeable paving.
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Swales, green roofs and permeable paving can count towards water storage capacity
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Responses accepted until 18 September
The rules for returning pumped groundwater to the ground have also been amended. A permit requirement for this will apply only outside built-up areas.
Stakeholders can (mailto:info@aaenmaas.nl)]submit their comments until 18 September to the executive board of Aa en Maas, De Dommel or Brabantse Delta. The water authorities can then make further amendments to the regulations.
This article was previously published on 11 August 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen.
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