Freshwater
How can we ensure an adequate supply of freshwater at the right time, at the right place and of the right quality? The demand for freshwater is increasing, for example in the agriculture and horticulture sectors and in industry. The growth in population means that citizens are also using increasingly more freshwater. At the same time, the supply of freshwater can fall due to climate change. The Freshwater sub-programme is examining policy and exploring problems and solutions.
More and bigger problems for the fresh-water supply in 2050?
The first step was to set down the demand for and supply of freshwater now and in the future. The analysis – based on the delta scenarios with rapid climate change – showed that the consequences for the fresh-water supply in 2050 differ per region:
- In the IJsselmeer region, water level management may need to be modified to prevent water shortages occurring every ten years;
- In the coastal provinces where salinisation may occur, it may not be possible to take in water of the desired quality in dry years, particularly near Gouda;
- In areas that are dependent on supply from rivers, problems regarding maintaining the water level may already arise in average years, as well as problems with water quality and the intake of water for the regional water system;
- On high, sandy ground where there is no external supply, problems may arise in average years, including too little moisture in the soil and falling groundwater levels;
- In dry years, maintaining a steady supply of cooling water for power plants and providing drinking water will come under pressure in a large part of the Netherlands. This could cause irreversible damage to nature as well as damage to infrastructure. In the region that receives its water from the IJsselmeer, these problems may only arise in extremely dry years. If more problems arise, the damage to the economy could increase dramatically.
The problem in the future
A sustainable supply of freshwater is of vital importance. Our current fresh-water policy appears to be reaching its limits. The droughts of 2003 and the spring of 2011 showed that this is a reality and not a theory. It means we have to examine the efficiency of the water system and the use of water. The system needs to be more flexible and more efficiently structured, we must make more efficient use of water.
In the short term, the Freshwater sub-programme is examining measures like the additional storage of water in the winter half-year, making use of additional supply routes and optimising the use of water. In the long term, a more fundamental approach is needed to increase the supply of water and limit water demand. Issues involved in this include:
> How much water will we deliver in the near future and at what price?
> What responsibilities do users have?
The challenge is to set down goals for a sustainable and efficient fresh-water supply. In this regard, we will also consider agreements with neighbouring countries.
Up until mid-2012 we will be focusing on setting down goals and exploring possible strategies. Up until 2013, we will be fleshing out promising strategies, measures and instruments. In 2014, all of this should lead to a Delta Decision on a new preferred strategy for freshwater.
The Ministry of Infrastructure & the Environment is directing the Freshwater sub-programme.
Summaries of the action plans of the Delta Programme sub-programmes
The sub-programmes of the Delta Programme each have an action plan that sets out the plans and decisions being prepared in the time ahead. You can find a summary of the action plan of the Freshwater sub-programme here.
More information