Calculate water costs

What does water cost per litre and per cubic metre?

Water is billed per cubic metre (m³), which is 1,000 litres. Your bill consists of a fixed amount per year (the standing charge), a variable rate per m³, the tap water tax of € 0.437 per m³ (2026) and 9% VAT on everything. On average that comes to about € 2.71 per m³ in 2026, so just over a quarter of a cent per litre. Source: Vewin, Tarievenoverzicht drinkwater 2026.

How much you pay per month depends mainly on the number of people in your home. According to Nibud, a single person uses an average of 68 m³ per year, a family of four around 163 m³. That comes to roughly € 18 to € 32 per month. This tool calculates with those averages, or with your own use if you have your annual statement at hand.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 litre of tap water cost?

In 2026 tap water costs an average of about € 2.71 per m³ including the standing charge, tax and VAT (Vewin). That's just over a quarter of a cent per litre. A litre of bottled water easily costs more than a hundred times as much.

How much water does a person use per day?

According to Vewin, the average person in the Netherlands used 117 litres of drinking water per day in 2024. About a third of that goes to showering and bathing, the rest to the toilet, washing machine, kitchen and garden.

Why do rates differ per water company?

Each drinking water company sets its own rates, depending on the cost of extracting and purifying water in its area. You can't switch: your address determines the water company. In 2026 the standing charge ranges from € 52 (Vitens) to € 122 (WMD) per year, excluding VAT.

How do I calculate my own water use?

Read the water meter and note the reading. Do it again a month later: the difference is your use in m³ per month. Your annual statement shows the use for the whole year. Enter that in the tool for a tailored calculation.