Application of the Cost Recovery Principle for Water Services in the Netherlands

Abstract

Water, as being considered a public good in the Netherlands, is a responsibility of the government. In this article an overview is provided of the implementation of the cost recovery obligation for water services (Article 9 WFD) in Dutch legislation outlining the different costs involved and the method the costs are recovered for the different water services. A number of possible shortcomings in application of the cost recovery obligation are identified and discussed.