The Province of Limburg advises some residents of the municipalities of Stein and Sittard-Geleen not to use groundwater. This is due to soil contamination on the Chemelot industrial estate in the distant past.
This means that the advice of the province that has been in force since 1999 remains in force.
Harmful
Soil pollution causes substances or materials to enter the soil or groundwater that are harmful to humans, animals and nature. “The use of groundwater downstream from the company site to the Meuse for drinking water, sprinkling, irrigation and watering is not recommended,” according to the province.
Based on research, it has been concluded that there are currently no consequences for public health in the vicinity of Chemelot. Nevertheless, the advice still applies.
New plan
As the competent authority, the province supervises the soil contamination by land owner DSM on Chemelot. At the request of the province, DSM has updated its remediation plan from 2000.
Also read: New plan of approach for soil remediation at DSM
The Executive Board agrees to the new plan subject to certain conditions. One of those most important conditions is a financial guarantee, which guarantees DSM that the measures from the plan will actually be implemented. “In addition to the fact that new techniques may offer more possibilities to really get the pollution out of the ground, we as a provincial government will also spend less time on monitoring,” said former deputy Ruud Burlet about the plan last year.
Questions and concerns
The draft decision of the Provincial Executive will be available for inspection at the province from 6 April. Objections can be submitted within a period of six weeks. The Executive Board will then take a final decision on DSM’s plan. This is expected to be late June or early July.
The province, DSM and the GGD will hold a walk-in meeting on 25 April to answer questions and allay residents’ concerns. This evening will be held in the Van der Valk Hotel in Urmond.