The discharge gates of the Stevin locks in the Afsluitdijk could no longer close due to the malfunction, causing a large amount of saltwater to flow from the Wadden Sea into the IJsselmeer. This has increased the salinity in the freshwater lake. The malfunction was resolved shortly before midnight, Rijkswaterstaat reported.
To prevent salinization of the IJsselmeer, Rijkswaterstaat will try to discharge into the Wadden Sea at low tide in the coming days. The supply of freshwater from the IJssel helps to reduce the salinity.
Drinking water not at risk
According to Rijkswaterstaat, no increased salt concentrations have been measured at the West Frisian Andijk, where water company PWN makes drinking water from IJsselmeerwater.
Rijkswaterstaat also announced that water safety was not at risk thanks to the favorable weather conditions.
It is unknown how the power outage could have occurred.
