Freshwater - State and impacts (Netherlands)

State and impacts have been described in ‘Focus on Water’ (Water in Beeld (WIB)) in Section 5.1 and further on.

http://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/rws/riza/waterinbeeld/wib2009/html/ch5_1.html

In the last 20 years, the quality of the large rivers has stabilised (Figure 1). When one focuses on specific parameters, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, a considerable improvement is shown (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Percentage of measurements below the Water Framework Directive (WFD) standards.

Figure 2: Concentration of N and P in large rivers in the Netherlands and the target concentration levels. Source: RWS Waterdienst

This improvement is mainly due to policies on fertilisers (agriculture), and the treatment of urban and industrial wastewater.

The ecological quality of 30 to 40 % of surface waters exceeded the Water Framework Directive (WFD) standards, because of among other things high concentrations of phosphorus, nitrate, and pesticides (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Ecological quality of surface waters in the Netherlands in 2008

In the WFD, priority substances (chemical compounds) have been chosen as an indicator of the chemical quality of water bodies. All EU Member States have to make sure these substances are phased out of the environment.

Figure 4: Chemical quality of surface waters in the Netherlands in 2008

Because the WFD uses the ’one-out-all-out’ principle, meaning that if one parameter scores negative, the whole water body will get a negative status, it is difficult to see trends in figures similar to those of Figures 3 and 4. Therefore, another visualisation is used in reports such as ‘Focus on Water’. In this visualisation (Figure 1) the various parameters are accumulated, and the amount of parameters which score positive are shown. Herewith a trend is shown over multiple years. Figures 3 and 4 are used within the river basin management plans (Stroomgebiedbeheerplannen (SGBP).

http://www.kaderrichtlijnwater.nl/uitvoering/nationaal/item_27248/

Water temperature is of growing concern. The number of water intake stops during summer periods is growing, thus creating significant problems for water cooling plants.

http://www.milieuennatuurcompendium.nl/indicatoren/nl0123-Koelwaterverbruik-en-warmtelozing-door-elektriciteitscentrales.html?i=6-38

Also, the use of freshwater for the production of drinking water is hampered by the presence of chemical substances, such as pesticides and hormone disrupters.