Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg

What Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg does

NV Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg (WML) is the regulated, non-profit drinking water utility for the Province of Limburg in the Netherlands, producing and supplying drinking water to approximately 500,000+ households and 14,000 businesses across all 33 municipalities in the region. Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Maastricht, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. Water is sourced from groundwater and the Meuse (Maas) River, with continuous quality monitoring conducted jointly by WML, Rijkswaterstaat (24/7 intake surveillance), and certified laboratory Aqualab Zuid under the Dutch Drinking Water Decree (Drinkwaterbesluit). Quarterly water quality reports are published per production location.

The company's core technology stack is built around the physical pipeline network from source to customer meter, supplemented by GIS infrastructure (Esri), the mijnWML customer self-service portal, the centralized mijnaansluiting.nl connection-request platform, and a distributed field service operation for meter installation, replacement, and connection/disconnection work. Customer-facing digital channels include the mijnWML portal, telephone customer service (043-3090909) with 24/7 emergency availability, and an accessibility-enabled web presence (ReadSpeaker). WML is also a participant in the Superlocal water reuse trial in Kerkrade, a decade-long practical study of water reuse intended to address future supply pressures from climate change and population growth.

WML operates without a profit motive under a regulated tariff model. Revenue is generated through advance termijnbedragen (instalments) reconciled via annual jaarafrekening statements, billed consumption charges plus Belasting op Leidingwater (environmental tax) and 9% BTW (VAT). One-time fees apply for new connections, disconnections (€555 per connection), meter testing, and standpipe rental. Ownership rests with the Province of Limburg and the 33 Limburg municipalities, which together act as shareholders receiving no profit distribution, in line with the standard Dutch public utility ownership structure for water companies.

Name

Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg

Legal name

NV Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg

Website

https://wml.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

WML is the non-profit, regulated drinking water utility for the Province of Limburg, Netherlands, supplying approximately 500,000+ households and 14,000 businesses with water sourced from groundwater and the Meuse River. Founded in 1925 and owned by the Province and municipalities, it operates without profit motive.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drinking Water Utility

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV) (EUANAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB)

Keywords

• Drinking water supply
• Water utility services
• Water distribution network
• Water connection services
• Meter management

Headquarters

HQ city

Maastricht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Drinking Water Supply (Residential & Business): WML generates revenue through drinking water supply to approximately 500,000+ households and ~14,000 businesses across the Province of Limburg. Customers are billed via termijnbedragen (advance instalments) based on estimated consumption, reconciled annually via a jaarafrekening (annual statement) or upon move-out via an eindafrekening (final statement). Bills include water consumption charges plus Belasting op Leidingwater (BoL, a Dutch environmental tax on drinking water) and 9% BTW (VAT). WML operates without a profit motive.
2. Connection and Disconnection Services: Fees charged for new water connections, disconnections, and modifications, including standpipe rental for construction sites and meter relocation services. These are requested through the Mijnaansluiting.nl portal.
3. Meter Testing and Calibration: Charges for meter calibration/inspection (ijken) if the meter is found to be functioning correctly. If the meter is defective, no charge is applied.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WML produces and distributes drinking water sourced from groundwater and the Meuse (Maas) River to over 500,000 households and approximately 14,000 businesses across all municipalities of the Province of Limburg. Beyond continuous water supply, it provides customer services including the mijnWML online portal for account and billing management, water connection/disconnection services via mijnaansluiting.nl, standpipe rental for construction sites, scheduled water meter replacement, and certified water quality monitoring.

Product overview

NV Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg (WML) is a non-profit drinking water utility serving all of Limburg province in the Netherlands, supplying over 500,000 households and approximately 14,000 businesses. The core offering is drinking water supply sourced from groundwater and Maas river water, processed through production facilities. Customer-facing services include the mijnWML online portal for account management, watermeter services (including scheduled replacement), standpipe rental for construction, and connection/disconnection services via mijnaansluiting.nl. The company also operates the Superlocal water reuse project in Kerkrade and runs the WML-Watertap filling station network. Public education initiatives include the 'Rustig aan met de Kraan' water conservation campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drinking Water Supply Continuous drinking water supply to over 500,000 households and approximately 14,000 businesses across the Province of Limburg, sourced from groundwater and the Meuse (Maas) River and processed through WML production facilities.
• mijnWML Customer Portal Personal online customer self-service portal where residential and business customers can view and manage their account data, water consumption, termijnbedrag, invoices, and submit move-in/move-out notifications.
• Water Connection and Disconnection Services New water connections, disconnections, and modifications for residential and business customers, including new constructions, renovations, and relocations, processed via the mijnaansluiting.nl portal. Disconnection and reconnection cost €555 per connection (BTW not applicable).
• Standpipe Rental (Standpijp Huren) Rental of standpipes primarily for construction sites and other temporary water access needs for business customers.
• Water Meter Replacement (Watermeter Verwisselen) Scheduled water meter replacement service, with meters placed after 2010 having a design lifespan of approximately 20 years. Customers can book appointments via the website.
• Meter Testing and Calibration (IJken) Inspection and calibration of customer water meters; charges apply only if the meter is found to be functioning correctly. Defective meters are not charged.
• WML-Watertap (Public Water Tap Stations) Network of public drinking water tap stations throughout Limburg where customers can fill containers with drinking water.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average drinking water consumption of 128 liters per person per day in the Netherlands, with a national target to reduce to 100 liters per person per day by 2035.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Aqualab ZuidcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified water testing laboratory that conducts water quality analysis for WML. Samples taken during production and distribution are analyzed by Aqualab Zuid to verify compliance with the Dutch Drinking Water Decree (Drinkwaterbesluit).
• BsGW (Belastingsamenwerking Gemeenten en Waterschappen)coreOthersBsGW manages tax-related matters and requires WML to periodically report water consumption data for tax purposes, as mandated by the Waterschapsbesluit.
• EsrisupportingTechnology or IntegrationEsri, headquartered in the United States, provides software for geographic information systems (GIS) used by WML. Esri is registered on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield list, providing an adequate level of data protection as determined by the European Commission.
• Call-itsupportingOthersCall-it provides call center support services to WML for customer service operations.
• OGDsupportingTechnology or IntegrationOGD provides service desk support to WML for IT and operational technology needs.
• PTIsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPTI handles meter reading and meter reading-related services for WML's customer base.
• PostNLsupportingOthersPostNL delivers WML's physical correspondence, billing statements, and other mail items to customers.
• IvengisupportingTechnology or IntegrationIvengi provides web hosting services for WML's digital platforms including wml.nl and the mijnWML portal.
• Quality SupportsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQuality Support provides training support services to WML, including training related to customer interactions.
• R&M MatrixsupportingOthersR&M Matrix conducts customer satisfaction research on behalf of WML to measure and improve service quality.
• EtilsupportingOthersEtil manages vacant property tracking for WML, likely related to identifying unoccupied addresses for billing and service optimization.
• MailtoPay, Faircasso, Flanderijn, Intrum Justitia, Janssen & JanssensupportingOthersMultiple collection agencies (MailtoPay, Faircasso, Flanderijn, Intrum Justitia, and gerechtsdeurwaarderskantoor Janssen & Janssen) handle WML's debt collection and incasso activities for unpaid water bills. Incasso procedures escalate over 4 steps, with disconnection fees of €555 per connection if payment is not received.
• SeniorWebminorOthersSeniorWeb and WML collaborate to help seniors develop digital skills. WML is committed to supporting digital inclusion as part of its community responsibility. SeniorWeb offers computer help via internet, phone, or home visits, and membership options.
• DigiHulplijnminorOthersDigiHulplijn is a free helpdesk for anyone with digital questions about computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. WML links to this service as part of its digital accessibility commitment.
• Stichting Lezen & Schrijven (Taal voor het Leven programme)minorOthersWML is a partner of the 'Taal voor het Leven' program run by Stichting Lezen & Schrijven, which aims to ensure everyone can participate in society. WML joined as a partner in November 2018. The program helps adults with reading, writing, and math difficulties.
• Superlocal (Kerkrade)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuperlocal in Kerkrade is one of the Netherlands' most extensive practical trials for water reuse. WML invests in this innovative project to prepare for future drinking water demand driven by climate change, population growth, and pressure on water sources. The project has been running for ten years and WML is learning from its practical experience.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreOthersRijkswaterstaat (Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) monitors water quality at the Meuse River 24/7 where it enters the Netherlands. This data is used by WML as part of its raw water quality monitoring for Meuse water sourced drinking water production.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brabant Water: Brabant Water is the regional drinking water utility for North Brabant, the province directly adjacent to Limburg. Operates an identical statutory, non-profit monopoly model for ~2.5 million customers in a neighboring geography, providing a close operational benchmark for WML.
• Waterbedrijf Groningen: Waterbedrijf Groningen supplies drinking water across Groningen and Drenthe following the merger with the former Drentse waterleidingmaatschappij. Direct peer in Dutch regional non-profit monopoly model, comparable geography (mixed rural/provincial).
• Dunea: Dunea supplies drinking water to ~1.3 million customers in South Holland (The Hague region) using dune infiltration and surface water treatment. Operates the same non-profit regional monopoly model as WML, with a comparable mix of water sources and treatment infrastructure.
• Vitens: Vitens is the largest drinking water utility in the Netherlands, serving ~5.5 million customers across multiple provinces under the same Drinkwaterwet framework as WML. It is the most direct functional comparable — same regulated monopoly model, same customer service expectations, same quality regime — but at much greater scale.
• Oasen: Oasen is a smaller Dutch drinking water utility serving the Gouda and surrounding South Holland region under the same Dutch statutory framework. Direct peer to WML on regulatory model and core service, though smaller in scale (~800k customers).
• Waternet: Waternet is the drinking water and wastewater utility for Amsterdam and the Amstel, Gooi en Vecht region. It is one of the few Dutch water companies performing both drinking water supply and wastewater duties, but as a non-profit municipal utility under Dutch law it is functionally comparable to WML on the drinking water side.
• Evides Waterbedrijf: Evides supplies drinking water in Zeeland and parts of South Holland and west Brabant. As another Dutch non-profit regional utility under the same Drinkwaterbesluit framework, it is a true direct peer to WML in regulatory model, service offering, and scale.
• PWN Waterleidingbedrijf van Noord-Holland: PWN is the regional drinking water utility for North Holland, including dune-based purification from its own catchments. Direct functional peer to WML: same regulated monopoly, same source-to-tap value chain, same Dutch quality disclosure regime.

Emerging players

• Hydraloop: Hydraloop is a Dutch decentralized water reuse technology company producing in-home greywater recycling systems. Relevant as an emerging player in the same province-level water-reuse thematic in which WML is investing via the Superlocal project.

Broad incumbents

• Suez Water (Suez Group): Suez is one of the world's largest water and waste services groups, operating regulated water utilities (including bottled water and network concessions) across multiple geographies. As a broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities to WML but as part of a much larger, for-profit international portfolio, it provides a relevant scale and capital-deployment benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wmlwater
• Facebookfacebook.com/wmlwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wml-water

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg