They are also responsible for supervising the water boards, and have a broader task in spatial planning. The 25 water boards, which arc the oldest democratic institutions in the Netherlands, have as their core task the operational management of the water system. The 418 municipalities arc responsible for operational water management. Drinking water management is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. The most relevant ministries and agencies cooperate in guiding regional authorities in their work under the EU WFD. Eleven county municipalities are appointed as regional competent authorities under the Directive.