Artikel 133: Water boards
- Insofar as it is not otherwise provided by or pursuant to Act of Parliament, the establishment or dissolution of water boards (waterschappen), the regulation of their duties and organisation together with the composition of their administrative organs shall be effected by provincial ordinance according to rules laid down by Act of Parliament.
- The legislative and other powers of the administrative organs of water boards and public access to their meetings shall be regulated by Act of Parliament.
- Supervision of these administrative organs by provincial and other bodies shall be regulated by Act of Parliament. Decisions by the administrative organs may be quashed only if they conflict with the law or the public interest.
Explanation
Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect.
Water boards ensure the good quality of surface water and that there is neither too much nor too little water in a given area. Water management has traditionally held a distinct place within the Dutch local government organization, which is not surprising given the Netherlands' water-rich past and future.
The establishment, dissolution, and organization of water boards must be regulated by the provinces within the statutory rules. The law regulates the powers, the public nature of meetings, and the supervision of water boards. Decisions can only be annulled if they are contrary to the law or the public interest.
The Water Boards Act was introduced in 1991. Article 133 is further elaborated in this Act.