Homepage MNP Homepage CBS Homepage WUR

Water: developments in consumption in the Netherlands and the consequences for nature and the environment

Water is a resource with multiple functions (such as drinking water, water for industry, bathing water and water as the medium in which to discharge substances). Water must meet certain quality standards for a number of these functions. For instance, in the interests of public health, drinking water must meet certain chemical and bacteriological standards.

Developments in water consumption


In the second half of the 20th century, water consumption in the Netherlands increased substantially. However, in the last decade, there has been a fall. Fresh groundwater and surface water are used for drinking water and for industry. In addition to the extraction of groundwater for drinking water and industrial water supplies, the groundwater level in many areas has been lowered by the agricultural sector in order to make farmland more accessible for farm machinery.

Environmental impact of the infiltration of water in the dunes


Other negative environmental effects are caused by the surface infiltration of water into the soil of the dunes with the aim of extracting it later for drinking water. As a result, these areas, which were originally low in nutrients, are subject to eutrophication and pollution. Following the increase in pre-purification (Infiltratiebesluit bodembescherming 1993 (Soil Protection Infiltration Decree) (VROM)) this effect has been considerably reduced in recent years.

References


  • VROM (1993). Regels met betrekking tot infiltratie vanuit oppervlaktewater verkregen water in de bodem (Infiltratiebesluit bodembescherming). Besluit van 20 april 1993. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
This page was last changed on November 18, 2005  (version 01).