Decree no. BWBR0026872 containing rules with regard to the management and use of water systems (Water Decree).

This Decree contains rules for implementing the provisions of the Water Act, focusing on the management and use of water systems. The Decree concerns the following matters: flood defence system; drinking water supply; geothermal energy system; groundwater protection against pollution; surface water; marine environmental policy; marine spatial planning; territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and coastal waters; open soil energy system. The Decree provides for: measures concerning the Eems, Maas, Rhine and Scheldt river basin districts; ranking of objectives in case of water shortage, including: damage prevention, energy supply, water recreation, inland fishing; inspection of water bodies for the introduction of urban or industrial waste water; delimitation of surface water bodies and designation of drier riparian areas; providing information concerning water use and management; preparation of the national water Plan and related Ministerial tasks, including definition of environmental indicators; preparation of flood management and river basin management plans; measures for bathing water functions; drafting of a North Sea Policy; preparation of regional water plans, with objectives and measures to be included.
Further matters covered by this Decree concern: waterworks management and exemption of certain areas from reporting obligation; adoption of Ministerial water level Ordinances for specific rivers or parts of sea; definition of emergency plans and of its content; risk assessment and management in relation to drinking water; specific activities in water systems; general provisions on waste discharge; emission limit value; domestic waste water management; marine pollution and permitted activities; dumping of hazardous waste into the sea; prohibition to extract groundwater or to infiltrate water under surface water bodies managed by the State; operational requirements for geothermal energy systems; limitation and prohibition to use North Sea waters for: land reclamation; placing or laying pipes and cables; landward displacement of the coastline; building of wind farms and related activities in the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone; financial provisions and subsidies.