This Decree contains rules for implementing the provisions of the Water Act, focusing on the management and use of water systems. The Decree concerns the following matters: flood defence system; drinking water supply; geothermal energy system; groundwater protection against pollution; surface water; marine environmental policy; marine spatial planning; territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and coastal waters; open soil energy system. The Decree provides for: measures concerning the Eems, Maas, Rhine and Scheldt river basin districts; ranking of objectives in case of water shortage, including: damage prevention, energy supply, water recreation, inland fishing; inspection of water bodies for the introduction of urban or industrial waste water; delimitation of surface water bodies and designation of drier riparian areas; providing information concerning water use and management; preparation of the national water Plan and related Ministerial tasks, including definition of environmental indicators; preparation of flood management and river basin management plans; measures for bathing water functions; drafting of a North Sea Policy; preparation of regional water plans, with objectives and measures to be included.
Further matters covered by this Decree concern: waterworks management and exemption of certain areas from reporting obligation; adoption of Ministerial water level Ordinances for specific rivers or parts of sea; definition of emergency plans and of its content; risk assessment and management in relation to drinking water; specific activities in water systems; general provisions on waste discharge; emission limit value; domestic waste water management; marine pollution and permitted activities; dumping of hazardous waste into the sea; prohibition to extract groundwater or to infiltrate water under surface water bodies managed by the State; operational requirements for geothermal energy systems; limitation and prohibition to use North Sea waters for: land reclamation; placing or laying pipes and cables; landward displacement of the coastline; building of wind farms and related activities in the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone; financial provisions and subsidies.