Province of Limburg: applying for an exemption for activities in an area containing a source of drinking water
A water catchment area is an area from which a water company abstracts groundwater for drinking water. The groundwater protection areas are the areas directly around the water catchment areas. You can recognise these areas by the blue signs along the road with ‘waterwingebied’ (water catchment area) or ‘grondwaterbeschermingsgebied’ (groundwater protection area) on them. These areas need to be kept clean to protect our drinking water. Therefore, rules apply to activities in water catchment areas and groundwater protection areas. Some activities in water catchment and groundwater protection areas are prohibited. These include: introducing substances into the soil that could contaminate the soil, building installations that could contaminate the soil, installing underground geothermal energy systems. You can apply for an exemption or submit a notification in advance. The province can decide whether just a notification is sufficient or whether you need to apply for an exemption. Some activities are subject to an absolute ban. The exemption sets out the rules you have to comply with. You are not allowed to carry out activities without an exemption or notification.
The province assesses each exemption application separately. Rules may be laid down to protect the area from contamination. The proof and the appendices to the application must be submitted in triplicate.
Required are
- fully completed and signed form attached;
- for construction in a water abstraction area, at least the data indicating that the renewal or extension will lead to a reduction in the risks to the quality of the groundwater;
- a clear site plan showing the location or the route to be followed;
- one or more larger-scale plans with details, including specifications if possible;
- if excavation and/or drilling is carried out deeper than 3 metres below ground level in a groundwater protection area or deeper than 5 metres above Amsterdam Ordnance Datum in the Venloschol, it must be indicated as precisely as possible where the excavation or drilling is to be carried out and to what depth;
- details of the construction of any roads, sewers or car parks, and what materials will be used;
- details of how any drainage will be carried out;
- if applicable: details of the drilling methods, well completion and well depths;
- details of the measures taken to prevent the soil and/or groundwater from being contaminated during the work;
- other details you believe may be important in assessing the application for an exemption.
An exemption or notification is required for anyone who intends to conduct work, events or other activities within a water abstraction area or groundwater protection area that may entail risks to the quality of the soil or groundwater within the Venloschol or in the soil of the Roerdalslenk.
Not applicable.
A decision is made within 6 months of receipt of the application for an exemption.
Have you applied for an exemption? If you do not agree with our decision on your application, you can object to this. Do this within 6 weeks.
Contact the servicedesk of the Province of Limburg:
Telephone number +31 43 389 9999.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Province of Limburg
Visiting address
Limburglaan 10
6229GA Randwyck-Maastricht
| Monday | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |