Unlike energy (gas and electricity), the Dutch water grid is not privatised. This means that people in the Netherlands cannot choose their own water supplier.
How to set up your water in the Netherlands
As you can't choose your water supplier, setting up your water is fairly easy in the Netherlands. You simply need to sign up with your local provider. To find out who your supplier is, you can go to the website of Vewin.nl.
You can also use a utility installment service such as EasyNuts or Utility Direct to effortlessly arrange all your utilities, including water, within a span of 24 hours, free of charge.
Water supply companies in the Netherlands
Currently, there are 10 water supply companies in the Netherlands that produce and distribute water. Where you live will determine what company will supply you with water.
Don't forget to notify the water supplier
Have you bought a house and are moving to a new address? Simply notify your water supplier that you are moving (then notify the water supplier in your new region). Most of the time, this can be done online.
Are you renting a house? Often, your landlord will have made arrangements. If not, notify the water supplier in your (new) region.
Can you drink tap water in the Netherlands?
You'll be pleased to know that it is totally safe to drink tap water in the Netherlands. According to the Environmental Performance Index, tap water in the Netherlands is actually some of the cleanest in the world.
The RIVM monitors the quality of drinking water at every stage from the source to the tap to ensure that it is safe to consume. Water companies in the Netherlands use advanced purification processes to treat tap water without using chloride or fluoride.
Tap water in the Netherlands also has lower levels of calcium than elsewhere in Europe, meaning the water is "softer" and causes less build-up on appliances like washing machines, kettles, taps and shower heads.