News item | 13-01-2025 | 08:00
Indicate exact locations where drinking water can be extracted. Remove obstacles to make it easier for drinking water companies to obtain a permit to pump water. These are just a few actions that governments and drinking water companies have agreed to take to prevent a drinking water shortage in 2030.
Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) is sending the Action Program Availability of Drinking Water Sources 2023 – 2030 to the House of Representatives today. This action program was drawn up by the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO) and the Association of Water Companies in the Netherlands (Vewin), in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Minister Madlener: “We all know our country as a country where there is plenty of water. I therefore find it inexplicable that the RIVM has had to conclude that there will be a drinking water shortage in 2030 if we do nothing. So we are going to do something about it. I am extremely proud of all those involved who have agreed on actions that will ensure there is sufficient drinking water in 2030. These are not easy choices: if a province designates an area for drinking water extraction, this places restrictions on other users. Despite the great importance of drinking water, this is a difficult decision every time.”
Different actions
The action program consists of action plans for 14 regions and various cross-regional actions. The regional plans concern, for example, expanding specific extractions or setting up new extractions from groundwater or surface water: this depends on what is going on in the area. For example, Brabant Water is looking at extracting brackish groundwater, while Vitens is thinking about using the IJssel to supply the Achterhoek with water.
As cross-regional actions, the government will, for example, look at acceleration options in the mandatory procedures for drinking water projects, which are laid down in the Public Housing Management Act and in the Environmental Act. In addition, IPO, Vewin and water managers will ensure good knowledge sharing by setting up platforms on which bottlenecks can be discussed at a national level.
Prevent drinking water shortage
In April 2023, the RIVM announced that by 2030, more than 100 million cubic meters of additional drinking water per year will be needed to guarantee the drinking water supply. This action program must ensure that the production of drinking water is increased in the coming years, so that there is sufficient water in 2030.
The RIVM is currently also conducting research on behalf of the government into drinking water needs after 2030. This research will be published next year and it will be clear what further actions may be needed. Some plans in the current action program will already continue into the period after 2030.