The purpose of land improvement
The purpose of land improvement is to improve the quality and usability of agricultural land through land improvement systems. As a result, the land becomes more fertile and suitable for agriculture, forestry, or other uses.
Land improvement gives the land being improved properties that are as similar as possible to those of well-drained land that does not need improvement. This means that the moisture level of the land is optimal for plant growth – neither too dry nor too wet.
Land improvement is carried out in a way that ensures environmental protection.
The drainage of land for other purposes, such as residential land, is not considered land improvement within the meaning of the Land Improvement Act.
Definitions
Land improvement system
A land improvement system is a set of structures necessary for increasing the agricultural value of land and protecting the environment.
A land improvement system mainly consists of structures such as headwaters, drainage ditches, drains, wells, culverts, etc. A land improvement system definitely consists of a regulating network and, in most cases, a headrace. Buildings (pumping stations) are part of the system on individual preserved polders. In Estonia, there is a predominant need for drainage.
Outfall
A drainage basin is a body of water into which excess water flows directly from the regulating network of the land improvement system or through a headwater. A drainage basin is not a headwater. A drainage basin can also be part of the subsoil and a landform if it is not possible to direct excess water into a body of water and this causes excessive economic costs.
Drainage system
A drainage system is a set of structures through which excess water flows either directly or via the system's headwater into a receiving water body.
Common drainage
Common drainage is a drainage system whose water level or pipe capacity determines the proper functioning of the land improvement system located on the immovable property of several owners.
Joint drainage maintained by the state, or state drainage
Joint drainage maintained by the state, or state drainage, is joint drainage with a catchment area of over 10 km2, for which the state may assume maintenance obligations through the Land and Spatial Development Board. It should be noted that the state drainage system is not owned by the state, but the state only fulfills the maintenance obligation for it.
Locations and structures of land improvement systems, headwaters, and state headwaters
- Land improvement systems, headwaters, and state headwaters can be found in the Land and Spatial Development Board's land improvement system map application.
- The most up-to-date map data on land improvement systems, headwaters, and state headwaters is available in the Land and Spatial Development Board's Spectrum Spatial Analyst land improvement map application.
Is there a land improvement system on my land?
- Open the Land and Spatial Development Board land improvement system map application
- Turn on the cadastral map.
- Enter your cadastral code or zoom in on the map to find the cadastral unit you are looking for.
What restrictions are imposed by the land improvement system and drainage system?
- Open the restrictions map
- Turn on restrictions and then the cadastral map.
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Enter your cadastral number or zoom in on the map to find the cadastral unit you are looking for.
What structures make up my land improvement system?
- Ask for the implementation drawings from the relevant county office of the Land and Spatial Development Board.
- Land improvement projects and post-construction implementation drawings are stored in archives. The implementation drawings are also available in digital PDF format.
Last updated: 31.10.2025
