Production of tap water in the Netherlands, 1950-1999
The production of tap water has stabilised since 1990 as a result of the encouragement of economical water use and of technological developments.
Tap water production stabilizing
The amount of tap water produced since 1990 has remained virtually stable. During the preceding period, from 1950 to 1990, production quadrupled. The stabilisation is a result of the policy for stimulating water savings and technological developments, such as washing machines that make more economical use of water. Those savings compensate for the extra demand for tap water generated by the increase in the population and the economy.
The increase in the sixties was the result of the growth of the population and the economy. The increase in production in the second half of the eighties was caused by economic growth during that period.
In the Netherlands, water companies are responsible for public water supplies through the provision of drinking water and semi-finished products, including industrial water. Only fresh groundwater and surface water are used for production.
Decreasing use of groundwater for the production of tap water
As a result of the anti-desiccation policy and water savings, groundwater extraction has decreased in recent years. For decades, groundwater accounted for approximately two thirds of tap water. This has now fallen to approximately 60%. At the start of the 20th century, however, groundwater was the source of approximately 50% of tap water.
