The groundwater level is falling and everyone should know that. That is why the first new groundwater meter was unveiled and blessed to the public in Oirschot on Wednesday afternoon. This way everyone can see how low the water level is. “Every drop counts,” says water excavator Erik de Ridder, the ‘boss’ of De Dommel Water Board.
Due to longer periods without rain and because households, farmers and companies use a lot of groundwater, the groundwater is sinking deeper and deeper into the soil. This is not good for our nature and our living environment.
“We try to retain as much rainwater as possible. Then it has time to sink into the soil and thus replenish the groundwater supply,” says Erik de Ridder of De Dommel Water Board.
Fewer tiles
He emphasizes: “Everyone can help to retain more groundwater. For example, by ensuring a green garden with as few tiles as possible, so that rainwater can easily sink into the ground.”
For example, water boards often choose to discharge less water. More and more water storage areas are also being constructed so that rainwater can be better collected.
Sacred Oak
Groundwater meters were installed for the public throughout the Netherlands about twenty years ago. However, some of these meters are outdated or broken. After the dry summers of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022, it has become even more important to tell this story, according to the province, municipality and water board.
The first new groundwater meter was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon at the chapel of the Heilige Eik in Oirschot. Pastor Wilfred van Nunen blessed the water meter. New meters should be installed in more places in Brabant in the near future. De Dommel Water Board will install twelve in the near future
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