Water Quality Management in The Netherlands Bron: Rijkswaterstaat Nationaal Water Plan, dec Beheer and Ontwikkelingsplan voor de Rijkswateren (ontwerp), dec. 2008

Integrated water management

Netherlands – Water Lands  Water: the historical source of prosperity and welfare.  Enough and clean water: essential for sustained economic development  Protection against high waters: a condition for development.  Water systems have been optimised for multiple uses and functions: flood protection, agriculture, navigation, recreation, fisheries.

Flood protection

Navigation

Agriculture

Recreation and bathing water

Other uses - Fisheries - Drinking Water - Energy - Nature

Competition for space

Netherlands – Water Lands  Holistic and integrated approach to water management

Organization of water management  State Water Authority (RWS) 6 main water systems  43 Regional Water Boards

Planning for water management

National Water Plan Basic principles in water management  Move with natural processes where possible  Resist where necessary  Use opportunities for economic and social development  Relation spatial development & water management  International context

National water Plan Primary focus  Safety  Quantity  Quality (ecology)  Other uses water supply, energy, navigation, industry, recreation, …. water supply, energy, navigation, industry, recreation, ….

dominant water assignments

Vision

Water Quality Historic development  20 th century: increased pollution due to population growth and industrial activities  Since 1950’es: tackling hot spots, polluter pays principle, BAT, many WWTPs  Flood protection works, river training, etc. disturbed natural water network, ecological processes and self-cleaning potential  In 1980’s: spatial aspects addressed.

Water Quality International context  Cross-border coordination  1987: Rhine Action programme impetus to improvement of water quality of the Rhine River  2000: Water Framework Directive: –Groundwater and surface water quality management –River basin management plans

Management and Development Plan  3 policy guides –Water Management 21 st century (WB21) –Water Framework Directive (WFD) –Natura 2000 (N2000)  Themes –Enough water WB21 –Clean Water WFD –Living space WFD & N2000 –Connections WFD & N2000

Water quality monitoring Chemical quality, 2008 Ecological quality, 2008

Water Quality  Many improvements (being) made.  Expect to substantially meet chemical quality norms by 2015  Ecological norms will remain an issue  Mainly due to: –Dispersed sources of pollution –Legacies from the past –Barriers in water network

Measures for the WFD Living area Cleaner water Connections Progress 2015 State waters

Water Quality  Focus on ecology:  Creating space for healthy ecologic environment  Remove barriers  Create connections  Synergy with other water management measures (e.g. room for rivers)

Fish passages

River Basin Management Plans 4 basins  South-west Delta  North Sea and Wadden  IJsselmeer region  Rivers and Canals

River Basin Management Plans  Jointly prepared with regional water boards  Plans and measures have been approved at the level of each participating agency  Pragmatic in planning of implementation  Will be monitored and reviewed every 6 years (2015)

Summary Planning in water sector has strong spatial and economic relations Water quality in broader context of water management Focus on restoration and protection of healthy ecology