New Law to Avoid Damages to Underground Infrastructure

July 1st, 2008

Every year in The Netherlands alone there are about 40,000 incidents with cables or pipes getting damaged. The Dutch WION law entered into force as per today and aims to avoid danger or economic loss caused by damage to underground cables or conduits (water, electricity and gas pipes, telephone lines and oil and gas pipes) by exchanging information on underground networks.

The law requires anyone to report any "mechanical ground agitation”, digging, tillage, and the laying of cables. Owners of underground cable and pipeline infrastructure are to have all information on their cables and pipes digitally available with specified accuracy and are to notify the Land Registry about this. More info on the website of Kadaster.