Think twice before washing your car, minister
says as water shortage becomes official
Society
August 3, 2022
The
Netherlands is officially facing a water shortage and although no extra
measures are now needed to deal with it, this could be the case if the drought
continues, infrastructure minister Mark Harbers confirmed on Wednesday. The
situation is so serious that decisions will need to be taken from a national
perspective, over-riding regional water boards and local authorities, Harbers
said. While there is currently sufficient drinking water, everyone can make a
contribution to combating the shortage, Harbers said. ‘So that is why I am
asking everyone to think twice before washing the car or filling up a paddling
pool completely,’ he said. -ADVERTENTIE- Some water boards have already been
taking steps to deal with the shortage and have imposed a watering ban on
arable farmers. The water level in the IJsselmeer lake, where much of the
country’s drinking water originates, is also being kept as high as possible.
The government has now set up a special team, comprising government and water
board officials, drinking water firms and the provinces to take tailor made
decisions about what should be done. Their priority is to make sure the dykes
remain intact and that there is no irreversible damage to nature reserves and
the peat beds, officials said. Maintaining sufficient drinking water supplies
is also a priority. Fifth drought This is the fifth official water shortage
this century, but the most severe was in 2003 when the drought almost reached
level 3, or a national crisis situation. It is currently at level 2, meaning
there is an actual shortage of water. Officials said on Tuesday that water
levels in the river Rhine are reaching a record low. The KNMI weather bureau
does not think any significant rainfall is likely well into mid August, and
after then, the chance of rain is put at 50%.
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