Hoogheemraadschap

Hoogheemraadschap is the Dutch term for the governing body of a water board, or for the water board itself, in the Netherlands. Water boards are regional authorities responsible for flood protection, water management, and drainage within a defined watershed. They are among the oldest self-governing public institutions in the country, with origins in the Middle Ages when landowners joined forces to protect polders from flooding and to drain land for agriculture.

The board is headed by a dijkgraaf (chair) and consists of hoogheemraden (board members). The hoogheemraadschap operates independently from municipalities and provinces, although it cooperates with them in policy implementation. Members are elected by residents and property owners within the water board’s district, with elections typically held every four years. The head and board make decisions and oversee the execution of projects, guided by national water policy and local needs.

Its responsibilities include the construction, maintenance, and management of dikes, floodgates, pumping stations, and other hydraulic works; regulation of water levels; drainage and wastewater treatment; and related environmental and climate adaptation measures. Water boards also levy taxes to fund their activities, commonly referred to as waterschapsbelasting.

Examples of well-known water boards with hoogheemraadschap in their name include Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland and Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland. The water-board system remains a distinct level of government in the Netherlands, ensuring local control over flood safety and water quality while coordinating with other administrative levels.