Dutch drinking water under growing pressure
The Netherlands must take major steps to keep drinking water clean, available and affordable until the end of this century. That is the advice of the Dutch Council for the Environment and Infrastructure in their latest report (PDF). The Dutch drinking water system is still strong, but it is under increasing pressure. Climate change, pollution and growing demand are making the current approach less secure for the long term.
Why is the system under pressure?
Climate change will lead to more frequent and longer periods of drought and heat. During dry periods, water use rises while less freshwater is available. Coastal areas face growing salinisation because of sea level rise and land subsidence. River areas may see stronger swings in water levels. Lower river flows can also make pollution more concentrated, which affects water quality.
Pollution is another major concern. Groundwater and surface water are increasingly affected by industrial substances, fertilisers, pesticides, medicine residues and new chemical substances. This makes water treatment harder and more costly. In some cases, polluted sources may become temporarily or permanently unsuitable for drinking water production.
What are the main weaknesses?
The report identifies several weaknesses in the current system. Drinking water companies do not have enough reserve capacity for future shortages. The drinking water supply is also still treated too much as a separate sector, while it depends on the wider freshwater system of rivers, lakes, groundwater, soil and landscapes.
There is also too little space for future drinking water needs. More room will be needed for extraction sites, storage, treatment plants, pipelines and protection zones. At the same time, housing, energy, agriculture, nature and industry all compete for space. The report warns that drinking water does not yet have a strong enough position in these spatial choices.
What does the report recommend?
The report calls for urgent action to restore and protect the freshwater system. This means reducing pollution, holding on to more freshwater, improving groundwater protection and making all freshwater withdrawals subject to a permit or notification requirement. It also recommends a national drinking water strategy that looks far beyond 2050.
The report also asks for stronger national coordination. Responsibilities are now spread across national government, provinces, municipalities, water authorities and drinking water companies. Better cooperation is needed to plan investments, protect drinking water sources and make sure regional decisions support long-term national security.