Starting in 2025, an additional boost to water quality

We have noticed in the period through 2024 that an additional impetus is needed to meet the water quality goals in 2027. The impetus is primarily aimed at reducing chemicals that are harmful to water quality.

With the help of an emission management plan, we are going to manage this. The approach differs per substance and depends on several things. First, we identify the main sources of substances. Some substances occur naturally in soil and water. There may also be human consumption. Secondly, it is important how substances enter the water and whether there are possibilities to purify substances from the water. This determines where and how we can intervene and which parties we need to do so. If other authorities are responsible for the necessary measures, we will talk to them about this. Sometimes more research is needed first to get a better picture of these matters. Finally, an important principle in our approach is: what doesn't come in, we don't have to take out! In other words: prevention is better than cure.

The measures in the WFD Impulse Program focus on several areas of interest: research, monitoring, sewage/ sanitation, regulation and licensing, supervision and enforcement, water bottom management, leasing, communication and groundwater. Each theme is briefly explained below.

Research

Of the problem substances, we would like to know more about their sources and how they end up in the water. Besides basing ourselves on existing knowledge, we conduct various studies to determine the situation in our area. For example, we look into whether problem substances are discharged into our surface water via sewage treatment plants (rwzi's). And we want to know how those substances end up in wastewater, such as through households or businesses. Runoff rainwater can also become contaminated before it enters the ditch. We will investigate whether this is an important route. All substances that occur in water together cause a certain degree of toxic pressure, or a certain degree of damage to plants and/or animals in the water. We will visualize the toxic pressure through a new calculation method. In doing so, we can determine which substances are most harmful to water quality.

Monitoring

We are going to measure problem substances in more different places. This will give us a better picture of the locations where these substances are measured above the norm. We are also developing new/better analysis techniques to be able to measure more substances.

Sewerage/sanitation

We are investigating whether current sewage treatment plants can treat more nutrients from water. This is likely to cost more energy and human capacity, so it is necessary to assess the feasibility and consequences for each location in addition to the possibilities. Current sewage treatment plants cannot properly purify micro-pollutants from water. Therefore, we are committed to working with municipalities, environmental services and the province to address discharges of these substances to the sewer.

Regulation and licensing, supervision and enforcement

Most laws and regulations on the admission and use of substances are determined by Europe or by the state. As a water board, we are responsible for direct discharges to surface water. Sometimes existing national rules offer insufficient protection. We are exploring the possibilities of introducing stricter regional rules together with the province and municipalities to further reduce the use of polluting substances. It is then up to our board to decide whether to deploy this. We also ensure up-to-date permits, actively monitor discharges and deploy enforcement where necessary. In this we cooperate with the environmental services, environmental police and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. In our own plans and decisions we look for opportunities to combine water quality and ensure that water quality does not deteriorate. To this end, we develop assessment frameworks, train employees and set up a knowledge point for complex discharge situations.

Water systems management

In the water bottom investigation, which is done before dredging work is carried out, we now take WFD problem substances into account. We investigate whether substances are released during dredging or other excavation work that deteriorate chemical water quality. We also look at the water bottom and dredging in relation to ecology. This involves, on the one hand, reducing ecological damage by the way we dredge. On the other hand, dredging is a source of nutrients and organic matter. When the dredge is stirred up by fish, boats, or by wind action, these substances are released and this is unfavorable for the water quality. Furthermore, it is more difficult for aquatic plants to take root in a thick layer of dredge. We are investigating where (additional) dredging can contribute to better water quality.

Grounds

Some of our properties are managed by others through leases. We are examining whether WFD interests are adequately considered in these leases and adjusting them where necessary.

Communications

We want to provide more insight into how we fulfill our role and tasks around the WFD. That is why we will actively publish information and important documents. The Geoviewer on the Water Quality Portal will also show the status of each area with respect to the WFD guidelines. In area-specific projects, we will provide rapid feedback of measurement data.

Groundwater

To prevent groundwater from being a source of water pollution, we will apply the national manual "Natural Discharge of Contaminated Groundwater to Surface Water.