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Clean tap water isn’t a given everywhere, but in the Netherlands, it comes at a cost. That price is set to rise next year as investments are needed to maintain our drinking water supply.
These Dutch Residents Will Pay More for Water #
The Netherlands may be a country abundant with water, but it remains a costly and scarce resource. This will become evident again next year for many Dutch residents as water prices at supplier Vitens will increase starting January 1, 2026.
Vitens announced that water will cost €1.34 per 1,000 liters starting next year, representing over a 7% increase from the current price of €1.25 per 1,000 liters. The water supplier serves approximately 6 million customers, about a third of all Dutch residents.
How noticeable this change will be in household budgets naturally depends on water usage. According to Vitens, an average two-person Dutch household uses 100,000 liters of drinking water per year, meaning an annual price increase of €9.
Why Prices Are Rising #
The reason for the price increase is the need for Vitens to invest. The company states this is necessary because demand for drinking water is increasing, while climate change is causing more frequent periods of heat and drought. This leads to higher water usage but lower groundwater levels.
Vitens also notes that producing drinking water now costs more. This relates not only to water purification but also to potential threats such as hackers. These challenges are expected to increase in the coming years, according to Vitens.
“By investing now and working every day on tomorrow’s water supply, we ensure water continues to flow from everyone’s tap. That’s what we work for every day,” Vitens stated.
Other Water Suppliers Also Raising Prices #
Vitens is far from the only water supplier increasing prices for 2026.
Earlier, PWN, operating in North Holland province, already announced it would raise rates by €0.07 starting January 1. Next year, Dutch customers will pay €1.98 per 1,000 liters at PWN.
In addition to PWN and Vitens, water suppliers Dunea, Oasen, and WMD are also raising their rates for the coming year.