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 for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Sewage charges for owners and users
Please note: you only have to pay rioolheffing (sewage charge) if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.
In determining the sewage charge, the municipality makes a distinction between the owner of the property and a high-volume user. Users who use more than 500 cubic metres of water on an annual basis pay a user component. Therefore 2 sewage rates apply.
You pay a fee for this service.
- View the fee Owner component per property.
- View the fee User component per 500 cubic metres of wastewater (first 500 m3 is free)
Payment
- Owner component
The sewage charges for owners (rioolheffing eigenarendeel) can be found on the assessment for municipal taxes (aanslagbiljet gemeentelijke belastingen). You will usually receive this bill in the post in the 1st half of February. Are you unable to pay the sewage charges within the stipulated period? Then you can choose to pay in instalments by direct debit or arrange a tax payment scheme. - User component
There is 1 payment period for the sewage charges for users. The amount must be paid in full within 6 weeks. You can pay via iDeal, bank transfer or PIN. Read more about how you can pay the tax under Paying municipal taxes. It is not possible to pay the sewage charges for users by direct debit.
Paying on time
Pay on time to avoid having to pay extra charges.
Exemption
Are you unable to pay the sewage charges for owners? You can ask the municipality whether you are entitled to an exemption (tax waiver) in respect of (part of) the charge. That is referred to as kwijtschelding.
You can apply for a tax waiver online with your DigiD. No DigiD? You can request a tax waiver application form without DigiD.
Do you disagree with the sewage charge? You can object via Municipal taxes: contesting your assessment.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of The Hague