Eutrophication of fresh water in the Netherlands, 1999

Policy

The government wishes to combat the overfertilisation (eutrophication) of surface water. Numerous measures, such as phosphate removal, are already in place in wastewater treatment plants (UWWTPs). Phosphates have also been banned in laundry detergents.
Maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs) for the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) have been adopted for "eutrophication-sensitive, stagnant waters", in other words for waters with little or no current. For other waters, these values are "guidelines". These general values, however, do not do justice to the differences between regions and types of water. The Fourth Water Management Policy Document (V&W, 1999) and the Third National Environmental Policy Plan (VROM, 3) therefore allow for a system of differentiated standards. Proposals have recently been made in this respect (Van Liere en Jonkers, 2002).

Relevance

The map shows where limit values for nitrogen or phosphate are exceeded in, for example, eutrophication-sensitive lakes in the Netherlands (waters with little or no current). The exceedance of MACs for nitrogen and phosphorus can result in undesirable effects on ecosystems such as excessive algae growth.

References

• VROM (1997). Third National Environmental Policy Plan. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
• V&W (1999). Fourth Water Management Policy Document. Ministry of Transport and Public Works, The Hague.
• Liere, E. van and D.A. Jonkers (eds.) (2002). Watertypegerichte normstelling voor nutriënten in oppervlaktewater. RIVM (rapportnr. 703 715 005). Bilthoven.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Surface water quality: Policy
• Eutrophying substances in fresh surface water in the Netherlands, 1985-2001
• Emissions into water in the Netherlands, 1990-2001
• Discharges into water and burden on surface water in the Netherlands, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2000
• Guide to Environmental theme of Eutrophication
• Eutrophication and the presence of water fowl in the lakes between the old coastline and reclaimed land (page is not available yet)
• Eutrophication of brackish water and the occurrence of algae (page is not available yet)

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• More information about the monitoring of nationally managed waters.