This Act provides for the composition, organization, work procedures, powers and duties of "Watershappen" which are the main public bodies at sub-national level charged with water management in a specific area. These entities are established by Provincial Councils. These Councils shall also further regulate matters with respect to "Waterschappen" not regulated in this Act.
The text of the Act consists of 180 articles divided into 6 Titles and 22 Chapters: Waterschappen (Title I); The composition and organization of Waterschappen (II); The Competences of Waterschappen (III); Financial matters of Waterschappen (IV); Supervision over Administration of Waterschappen (V); Final and transitory provisions (VI). The organs of a Waterschap are the General Board, the Executive Board and the Chairman of the Executive Board. The Waterschap may regulate and administer all matters within its area which are written in its internal regulation (art. 56).