The water boards in Brabant continue to monitor compliance with the prohibitions on irrigating fields or sports fields. The rain of recent weeks has given nature a hand, but it remains structurally too dry in parts of the province.
It recently became clear that the water boards are serious. Then someone was caught illegally pumping groundwater. The perpetrator was fined 2000 euros, according to the De Dommel Water Board. “Minor violations carry a fine of five hundred euros. Farmers are of course not happy with this, it concerns substantial amounts. We have been actively enforcing it since 2018, with fewer violations being detected every year,” says Kim Schoones of the water board.
Warnings are often enough. At the end of April and the beginning of May, dozens of warnings were issued in the working area of the Aa en Maas Water Board. “That was just during the period when it was dry for a long time and the bans were announced,” explains Ingeborg Riedstra.
“Some sandy soils continue to crave water.”
By now, the recent showers would almost make you think that nothing is wrong, but appearances are deceiving, says Riedstra. “It has rained heavily in some places and the temperature has dropped. That is good for the groundwater level. The grass also looks bright green and there is water in streams again. But the Boven Aa, for example, a higher sandy area, continues to crave water.”
“In the longer term, it is actually necessary that the rain falls over many more days. But we already know that this will happen less and less often due to climate change. It is not for nothing that we have made agreements in the province to raise the groundwater level.”
“Not being allowed to irrigate has financial consequences.”
The water boards realize that their prohibitions affect various sectors. In West Brabant, where the Brabantse Delta is responsible for water management, these are in force in parts with sandy soils. “It was the first time for us that we had to issue such a ban. Farmers are not used to that,” says Stefanie Hermens.
“A ban has financial consequences. An early drought in the growing season, such as this year, can lead to disappointing yields at harvest if you are not allowed to water. This has led to several violations. We explained why the ban is necessary and asked to stop irrigating.”
Water boards use their own supervisors for the checks, who are allowed to warn and issue fines. There is also collaboration with people from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and other organizations that often keep an eye on the countryside.
The inspections of the water boards are usually done on foot. Drones are also used in some cases. It also happens that situations are assessed with aircraft. In short, the water boards leave nothing to chance.
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