Environment permit for discharge of waste water
If you want to discharge waste water, such as cooling water, domestic waste water or industrial waste water, you must report this or apply for a permit.
Discharging waste water
Do you want to discharge waste water directly into surface water (such as a canal, river or lake), or into a waste water treatment plant? Under Dutch law, this is a waste water discharging activity (in Dutch). In most cases, you need a permit from the regional water authority or from the waste water treatment plant. Do you want to discharge your waste water through the sewage system or through the soil? Under Dutch law, this is an activity that is harmful to the environment (in Dutch). In most cases you need a permit from the municipality or province.
Do I need an environment permit?
If you want to discharge waste water, you must report this to the competent authority. Depending on how and where you want to discharge the water, the competent authority is the central government, water authority, province or municipality. Do you want to know if you need an environment permit? Or whether you need to submit a notification? Go to the Environment and Planning Portal and do the permit check (Vergunningcheck, in Dutch). You can then apply online for a permit or submit a notification for the waste water discharge.
How long does the application procedure take?
The competent authority will take a decision within 8 weeks of receiving your application. This period can be extended once by 6 weeks. In some cases, the municipality or province will follow the extended procedure. For example, if the activity has substantial impact on the environment. An extended procedure may take up to 26 weeks. You will be informed if this happens.
If you disagree with the decision, you must submit an appeal to the court within 6 weeks of the decision being published. In the case of an extended procedure, you must first submit your opinion (zienswijze) to the municipality or province before you can submit an appeal to the court.