Healthy water

One of the duties of the Water Board is to manage water quality in ditches, canals and ponds: surface water. We strive for healthy water. By this we mean clean water with the right balance of (nutritional) substances, in which plants and animals can live, which agriculture and fisheries can use and which people can enjoy.

Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Healthy water is scarce. Therefore, it has been agreed at the European level that the quality of groundwater and the water of ditches, ponds and canals must improve. These agreements are included in the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Collaboration important

Water boards are working hard to meet the WFD goals, but they cannot do this alone. Industry, agriculture, ministries and residents are also involved. Many measures depend on initiatives or a large contribution by third parties. Such as the role of municipalities in the waste water chain, ministries in legislation and regulations and the role of the agricultural sector, industry and residents.

What does the State Water Board do?

HHNK is working to improve water quality in several ways, including:

Emissions

Certain nutrients and chemicals are bad for water quality. We are therefore committed to reducing emissions of these substances from industry, agriculture, households and sewage treatment plants, among others. One example is the North Holland Agricultural Portal in which we work together with the province, other water boards, the LTO and agricultural collectives. We are also investigating whether substances are released during dredging that affect chemical water quality.

Setup and management

We build nature-friendly banks and keep watercourses at depth. We also leave more vegetation along banks if there is enough space. To ensure that fish can swim from one area to another, we construct fish passages at pumping stations, locks and weirs. New pumping stations are equipped with fish-safe pumps.

Monitoring and research

We regularly measure water quality at various locations throughout our management area. This gives us a picture of which species of plants, animals and fish occur in our waters. If there is too much of a harmful substance in the water, we look for the source and take enforcement action. We also take measurements at official swimming water locations and take action with partners to maintain the swimming water quality.

Rules, permits, supervision and enforcement

Through the Water Board Ordinance, we protect water quality in new initiatives. We are investigating whether additional regulations are possible and necessary to reduce emissions. We deal with undesired wastewater discharges from houseboats and group accommodations, for example, together with municipalities and environmental services. We also ensure that discharge permits are and remain current, taking into account WFD problem substances. Through supervision and enforcement, we ensure continued water awareness and tackle violations.

You can view our plans for the period 2022-2027 in the online Water Framework Directive Magazine via the link below. You will also find more information by topic at the bottom of this page.

  • Dinoterb

    Measurements show that the substance banned since 1998, dinoterb, has been found at several monitoring points in our management area.

  • Fish

    The presence or absence of certain fish species can say something about the ecosystem.

  • Management and design

    The management and design of the water and shoreline have many impacts on water quality.

  • Monitoring and research

    We are constantly researching water quality. This knowledge helps us take the right measures.

  • Blue-green algae

    Blue-green algae are bacteria with a blue-green color. They lead to odor, fish death and a ban on swimming.

  • Bathing water

    The 31 swimming sites in our waters are sampled monthly for swimming parameters.

  • Blooming farm ditch

    Through the Flowering Farm Ditch project, we collect and share knowledge about the ecological quality of ditches.

  • Antifouling

    For healthy surface water as well as your own health, it is better to use as little antifouling as possible.

  • Crayfish

    The American crayfish is an invasive exotic species and does not belong in our waters. Do you see them? Report it to us.

  • Enforcement

    We monitor discharges into surface waters. Enforcement is used when there is intent or when operators are negligent.

  • Substances in the water

    Chemicals entering surface waters can have a negative effect on water quality.

  • Invasive exotics

    Exotics are plants or animals that do not naturally occur in our country, but have entered the natural world through human activity.

  • PFAS in water and soil

    PFAS is a collective name for thousands of different chemicals. They are toxic and break down poorly.

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