Decision tree for sustainable sewerage charges in Enschede
In the purview of combating the impact of extreme downpours and periods of drought, it is important for residents to collect rainwater at their own premises. In the city of Enschede, the Financial Incentives for Climate Adaptation Alliance has investigated whether private home owners can be encouraged, by way of sustainable sewerage charges, to implement individual climate adaptation measures. In order to assist municipalities in taking pertinent decisions, a sewerage charges decision tree) was recently developed.
What was the reason for compiling the decision tree?
The municipality of Enschede aims to encourage its residents to take climate adaptation measures at their own premises. To this end, the municipality has drawn up a working paper. This paper sets out the importance of raising climate awareness and of proper communication with residents on this topic. The paper also addresses incentive measures and regulations aimed at steering residents’ behaviour. The sewerage charges decision tree is part of this paper. The municipal council can use the decision tree to determine what it deems important in levying sewerage charges.
How do you use the decision tree?
Using the decision tree is quite simple. You start at the top, at the yellow Start button, and subsequently you answer Yes or No to questions about the way in which you want to levy sewerage charges. Each answer leads to the next question, to which you must also answer Yes or No. By continuing to answer these questions, you will eventually end up with a solution. The solution may involve, e.g., equal sewerage charges for every property but also charges based on household size, on the value of the property under the Real Estate Appraisal Act, or on the surface area of the premises.
Lessons to be learned
The development of the sewerage charges decision tree has generated the following lessons to be learned:
- Ensure that you have a complete picture of the options for encouraging individual climate adaptation measures. Such options can be mapped out via a working paper.
- Show how sewerage charges can help to encourage residents to take individual climate adaptation measures. This is important, as private premises account for 70 per cent of the paved surface area in Enschede.
- Consult the municipal council at an early stage to find out what they deem important in levying sewerage charges.
What has the municipality of Enschede decided?
Eventually, the municipality of Enschede decided to refrain from introducing sustainable sewerage charges as yet. The time was not yet ripe. However, the decision tree is available for use once sufficient support has been garnered.
Contact person
Rik Meijer
Gemeente Enschede
r.meijer@enschede.nl