Why water in the Hebrecht hamlet could one day become crucial for the people of Groningen

Water from Hebrecht could one day become very important for all Groningen residents. On Friday it was made clear why in that Westerwold hamlet.

The hamlet of Hebrecht, near Vlagtwedde, looks almost as always on this sunny Friday morning. Almost. Because in a bend, on a piece of land, there is a large drilling rig that is not normally located here.

Drinking water reserve area

Men in orange vests have been working here for days. They carry out a so-called geohydrological soil and soil survey. A study that should clarify whether this area can serve as a drinking water reserve area for Groningen.

The research is carried out on behalf of the province of Groningen and the Groningen Water Company. Representatives of that government and that company will be present here on Friday to explain what is happening here. Cindy Groenewoud is one of them. She works for the province and explains that this unusual activity in Hebrecht has everything to do with an assignment from the government.

Current extraction areas

“This means that all provinces designate such reservation areas,” says Groenewoud. “Places where water can be extracted in the future if the current extraction areas are insufficient and/or consumption increases very sharply.”

The provincial authorities have four such possible reserve areas in mind. They are located in the countryside near Veendam, Leek, Bellingwolde and therefore here, in Hebrecht. “We already have sufficient data regarding soil and groundwater from the other three areas,” says Groenewoud. “We don’t have that here. Hence this drilling, which should make it clear whether the soil here too is such that a drinking water reserve area could be created here.”

Locations can last a long time

Wiejanda Moltmaker is present on behalf of the Water Company. That company has been extracting drinking water for Groningen residents in De Groeve, Nietap, De Punt, Onnen and Sellingen for years. At these places the water is ‘brought to the surface’, purified and made ready to drink. These extraction locations are doing well, Moltmaker reassures the people of Groningen. The Water Company also ensures this through various measures. The reserve places are not needed for the time being. “And we can also contribute to this together by using water sparingly,” she emphasizes.

It is not yet certain whether this area in Hebrecht will actually become such a drinking water reserve area if the drilling turns out well. Next year the province will investigate the consequences for the environment if water is brought to the surface at those four places. “And then it is decided which of those four areas will officially become a Supplementary Strategic Stock,” says Groenewoud. “That is the formal name of such a reserve location. All four areas can be designated. But it could also be just one or two.”

Protective rules

She emphasizes that such a designation does not mean that, for example, more agriculture can be practiced in such an area. But certain protective rules will apply.

Rolf Reker is one of those men in an orange vest who has been working here for days, on behalf of the ‘borer’, the company Wiertsema and Partners. He talks about the work, about the fact that he and his colleagues go 150 meters deep into the ground. “That is very deep, that makes this job very special.”

The orange men continued to work here for a few more weeks. The pieces of soil they brought up, many of which were already here on Friday in small containers, are then further examined. Research that could lead to the water from Hebrecht one day becoming of vital importance to the people of Groningen.

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