Tap water prices will rise in parts of the Netherlands in 2026
Next year, tap water will become more expensive for many households in the regions of Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland, and Drenthe, as the main water companies Oasen, Dunea, PWN, and WMD have announced price increases, while the prices for the rest of the country will be announced next week.
Oasen will charge €1.67 per cubic meter, up from €1.62, while Dunea's prices rise from €1.46 to €1.58. PWN's price increases from €1.92 to €1.98, and WMD from €1.06 to €1.14. Despite these increases, families in Amsterdam may save between €10 and €12 due to one-time discounts from this year's surplus, depending on family size and water consumption.
Experts say that price increases reflect the growing challenges of maintaining clean water. Patricia van der Linden from Vewin, the drinking water association in the Netherlands, explains that pollution, rising demand, and the need to prepare for drought or heavy rainfall due to climate change are driving costs up.
The Netherlands suffers from some of the most polluted waters in Europe and has failed to meet the European Union standards for 2027. The pollution comes from local industry and rivers coming from abroad. The high population density and intensive industrial activity exacerbate the problem, according to Van der Linden, although the quality of drinking water remains safe thanks to intensive purification efforts.
Water companies are now adding additional treatment steps to combat industrial pollutants such as PFAS and pharmaceutical residues resulting from an aging population. These substances are difficult to remove, and Van der Linden suggests interventions such as treating wastewater in hospitals or redesigning medications to be less harmful when they reach water sources.