Paying the sewage charge
You pay a sewage charge (rioolheffing) for your wastewater and for rainwater that ends up in the sewer. The sewage charge is part of the municipal taxes and is collected by the municipality, which uses that money to pay for maintenance and replacement of the sewers. Some municipalities also call the sewage charge sewage tax (rioolbelasting).
Each municipality has its own way of calculating the sewage charge. For example, some municipalities calculate the sewage charge based on the value of the property. Others base it on drinking-water consumption. To find out how your municipality calculates the sewage charge, contact your municipality.
The sewage charge is included in the municipal tax bill. This is usually sent out in the first 2 weeks of February.
Apply for an exemption on paying municipal taxes
Are you unable to pay your municipal taxes? Then ask your municipality for an exemption. You can be granted an exemption from paying part of the taxes, or all of the taxes.
This is how it works in your (future) place of residence
Sewage tax
Please note that you only have to pay sewage tax if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.
If you own a house or business premises which is directly or indirectly connected to the municipal sewerage, you have to pay sewage tax. The amount of tax you have to pay depends on the size of your household or the amount of water you use in your business premises.
You pay sewage tax for use of the sewerage and the disposal of waste water and rainwater. The municipality uses the revenues to renew and maintain the sewerage.
Living space
The amount of sewage tax you pay each year for your living space depends on the size of your household.
Business premises
If you use business premises, the yearly amount of sewage tax depends on the amount of water you use in these premises.
Rates
You can find the current rates on the website of Belastingsamenwerking Gouwe-Rijnland (www.bsgr.nl).
If you disagree with the sewage tax you can object within 6 weeks at Belastingsamenwerking Gouwe-Rijnland (www.bsgr.nl).
If you disagree with the decision of the BSGR you can appeal within 6 weeks at the court of justice in The Hague.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Leiden