Emissions into water in the Netherlands, 1990-2001
In recent years, emissions have fallen only slightly or stabilised. The largest reductions in emissions have already taken place.
| Emissions into water 1) | |||||
| 1990 | 1995 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
| 1 000 kg | |||||
| Total N | 82 600 | 78 400 | 77 800 | 76 200 | 75 600 |
| Total P | 18 300 | 11 300 | 10 700 | 9 300 | 8 240 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 4.86 | 1.62 | 1.19 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 50.5 | 38.5 | 34.4 | 31.2 | 29.8 |
| Copper (Cu) | 211 | 208 | 222 | 203 | 201 |
| Mercury (Hg) | 3.44 | 1.69 | 0.976 | 0.739 | 0.774 |
| Lead (Pb) | 179 | 142 | 140 | 138 | 140 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 52.3 | 38.3 | 33.7 | 28.5 | 32.5 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 603 | 463 | 423 | 420 | 420 |
| Arsenic (As) | 13.6 | 12.3 | 13.4 | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Benzene | 225 | 120 | 116 | 139 | 147 |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 2.77 | 2.55 | 0.537 | 0.559 | 0.463 |
| Ethylbenzene | 4.10 | 7.45 | 5.70 | 3.82 | 3.78 |
| Fluoranthene | 9.06 | 8.33 | 2.72 | 2.69 | 2.36 |
| PAH (Borneff 6) | 17.1 | 14.5 | 4.28 | 4.17 | 3.64 |
| Toluene | 475 | 298 | 297 | 357 | 359 |
| Xylenes | 180 | 171 | 164 | 165 | 169 |
| million kg | |||||
| Chlorides | 956 | 360 | 1 067 | 1 589 | 1 279 |
| kg | |||||
| 1,2,-Dichloroethane | 8 000 | 1 920 | 2 100 | 1 540 | 2 440 |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | 1.09 | 0.175 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.110 |
| 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane | 122 | 91.1 | 27.0 | 33.1 | 37.1 |
| Trichloroethene | 66 800 | 516 | 190 | 848 | 868 |
| DRINS | 8.92 | 2.82 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.98 |
| Source: CCDM (2003). | CBS/EDC/Aug03/0083 | ||||
| 1) Total of emissions to sewers (indirect) and to surface water (direct). | |||||
Emissions still only falling slowly
The emissions of a large number of substances are only falling slightly or are stabilising. Between 1985 and 1995, emission reductions of up to 95% were achieved at the large point sources (industry) for most substances. Further emission reductions are costing more and more effort. In the years to come, measures will focus primarily on tackling diffuse sources, atmospheric deposition and foreign sources.
Definitions of the concepts of 'emission' and 'burden'
The table lists the emissions from the various sources, including both direct emissions to surface water and indirect emissions to the sewer system. Discharges to the sewer system only reach the surface water after treatment; they are therefore indirect. Since a portion of these substances is removed by water treatment plants, the ultimate burden on surface water is lower.
References
- CCDM (2003). Emissiemonitor. Jaarcijfers 2001 en ramingen 2002. Datawarehouse-Emissieregistratie. Coördinatiecommissie Doelgroepmonitoring, The Hague. You can find descriptions of the calculation method in the meta-information of the Emissiemonitor on the Emissieregistratie website.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Capacity of wastewater treatment plants, 1980-2001
- Discharges into water and burden on surface water in the Netherlands, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2000
- Emissions to water: terms and definitions
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- Recent emission data and descriptions of the calculation methods used (meta-information) can be viewed in detail on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie' website.
