River Basin Management Plans: Ems, Meuse, Rhine Delta and Scheldt - A Summary

2009 - 2015
River basin management plans

Ems, Meuse, Rhine Delta and Scheldt a summary
2009 - 2015

Ems, Meuse, Rhine Delta and Scheldt a summary
22 December 2009
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Introduction
Why should we pay attention to clean

and sufficient water?

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

2
Clean and sufficient water is of key

importance
The Water Framework Directive
Formulating objectives and measures
Four river basins
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3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
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What is the current situation like?
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4.1 Water quality problems

4.2 Current situation
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What do we want to achieve?
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
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Introduction
The Ems river basin
The Meuse river basin
The Rhine delta river basin
The Scheldt river basin
The Dutch approach

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

Water Framework Directive: whats new?

New national cooperation
Impetus for international cooperation
Method followed for drawing up the
river basin management plans
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Objectives
Realistic goals
Who sets the objectives?
When will the objectives be achieved?
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What measures will we be taking?
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Introduction
Basic and supplementary measures
The measures
Implementation
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What are the costs and the benefits?
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Costs
7.3 Benefits
What is the impact of climate change?

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

Implementation
KNMI climate scenarios
Expected effects of climate change
Climate change in the 2016 2021
river basin management plan
Where do we go from here?

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4
Implementation
Monitoring programme
The second river basin management
plan for the 2016 - 2021 period
More information?
Introduction
In 2000, the member states of the European Union adopted the Water Framework Directive, in
which they agreed that by 2015 (or, under strict conditions, as soon as possible) groundwater
and surface water will be of good quality. To that end, individual management plans are to be
formulated for each river basin, indicating the objectives for groundwater and surface waters,
and showing how quality can be maintained and, where necessary, improved.
River basin management plans have since been drawn up for the Dutch parts of each of the
international river basins of the Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt. As these plans elaborate and
substantiate policy choices in relation to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in
The Netherlands, these plans are part of and must be considered in conjunction with the National
Water Plan. This document presents a summary of the four river basin management plans.
The formulation of these plans was preceded by a comprehensive and intensive preparatory
process. The national government, provincial authorities, water boards and municipal councils
jointly performed studies and analyses, set objectives and developed programmes of measures.
During the process, intensive consultation took place with interest groups at local, regional and
national level.
The first four river basin management plans took effect on 22 December 2009. Exactly one year
earlier (on 22 December 2008), the four draft river basin management plans were presented for
public consultation. The consultation period lasted six months, from 22 December 2008 until
21 June 2009. Once the results of the consultation rounds had been incorporated, the four plans
were adopted by the Dutch government.
1
For the Scheldt, this period was extended until 20 July 2009.
1 Why should we pay attention to

clean and sufficient water?
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1.1

Clean and sufficient water is

of key importance
1.2
The Water Framework Directive
national river basin districts of the Ems, Meuse,

Rhine and Scheldt jointly developed a roof report.
In 2000, the eu member states adopted the Water
The essence of the river basin management plan is an
Water plays a vital role in our lives. It meets our basic
Framework Directive, the primary objectives of which
overview of the general and environmental objectives
needs and is crucial for the economic development of
are the general protection of the ecology of all waters,
for all waters and a summary of the measures to be
the Netherlands. Water is indispensable for drinking
the protection of groundwater quality and quantity,
taken to achieve them. The river basin management
water supply, agriculture, fishery, energy generation,
and the specific protection of species and habitats,
plan also comprises a general description of the area,
industry, the transport sector and tourism. Moreover,
sources of drinking water, and bathing water.
an economic analysis, an overview of the main

threats to groundwater and surface water, and
sufficient quantities of good quality water are

essential to nature in the Netherlands.
The goal is to have achieved good ecological and
a description of the effects of climate change on water
chemical status in all surface waters as well as good
quality and water management. Moreover, the river
In the second half of the twentieth century, large
chemical and quantitative status of all groundwaters by
basin management plan also includes an overview
portions of our surface water and groundwater became
2015. This means that direct discharges into ground-
of the programme of measures and the monitoring
polluted due to the increase in discharges from
water are no longer permitted and that an increase in
programme. Finally, it incorporates several maps,
industries and households as well as contamination
chemical pollution of groundwater must be prevented.
including those presenting the current state of
from diffuse sources such as agriculture, traffic and
In part, the member states are free to determine to
groundwater and surface water based on the
transport, and building materials. Moreover, the
what extent a goal must be met. For example, the
monitoring programme.
natural character of many waters largely disappeared
degree to which the hydromorphology and natural
as a result of drastic changes to the land development
dynamics of a water system can be restored. The next
In the Netherlands, all government levels involved in
of the Netherlands and the use of land and water.
step is to formulate programmes of measures to
water management (water boards, the Directorate-
achieve the goals. Goal attainment may be postponed
General for Public Works and Water Management, the
The water system in our densely populated, low-lying
until after 2015 or the scope of a goal lowered, but this
provinces, the municipal councils and the Ministry of
country has been modified on a large scale. In many
is subject to strict conditions.
Transport, Public Works and Water Management, the

Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, and
places, (ground)water levels have been lowered,

channels in rivers deepened and meandering rivers
and streams straightened. As a result of unnatural
1.3
the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the

Environment) have worked closely together in recent
hydromorphology and lack of natural dynamics,
A key agreement in the Water Framework Directive is
years to meet all obligations under the Water Frame-
certain water plants and aquatic animals have
that member states collaborate on improving the water
work Directive. The main results have been collated
declined in number or even disappeared completely.
quality in each river basin. By 2009, every country
in the river basin management plans for the Ems,
was to have drafted a first river basin management
Meuse, Rhine delta and Scheldt. The State Secretary
plan for its own national part of an international river
for Transport, Public Works and Water Management
basin. In addition, the member states in the inter
bears final responsibility for the Water Framework
Directive in the Netherlands and, therefore, also for
included in the water plan. This decision was taken
drawing up and publication of the four river basin
by the Netherlands in order to guarantee that the
management plans.
objectives and measures to be reported to the

European Commission in the river basin management
1.4

Formulating objectives and

measures
Under the terms of the Water Framework Directive,

Dutch environmental quality and monitoring
requirements are laid down in the 2009 Decree on the
quality requirements and monitoring of water (Bkmw
2009). The objectives and measures derived from
the decree are incorporated into a water plan. The
objectives for heavily modified and artificial surface
waters are laid down for each individual water body,
those for waters in the main system are laid down in
the Management and Development Plan for National
Waters, and those for regional waters in a provincial
water plan or provincial spatial plan.
The programme of measures for a river basin
management plan comprises both basic measures and
supplementary regional measures. Basic measures
are all measures resulting from European obligations
and national generic policy. Supplementary regional
measures are all measures taken for specific water
bodies with a view to achieving the objectives of the
Water Framework Directive.
The water management authorities are responsible for
ensuring that the supplementary regional measures
for each individual water body are recognisably
plan are actually endorsed and implemented by the

(ground)water authorities in question.
2 The Dutch approach

The Water Framework Directive introduced a new working method in water management.
Water management authorities and other relevant authorities involved are encouraged to step up
collaboration on a river basin level. They are also under the obligation to implement the measures
they have announced. In its formulation of the river basin management plans, the Netherlands has
opted for a unique national and regional form of collaboration. This section addresses this approach.
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2.1

Water Framework Directive:

whats new?
the water. The standards for priority pollutants are
which the central government marks out the national
proposed by the European Commission and adopted for
framework and is responsible for international
the European Union as a whole; standards for other
coordination. The water boards have been given the
Water policy has been an issue in the European Union
pollutants are determined by individual member
role of formulating objectives and measures for each
since the mid-1970s, in the wake of the development
states. This should, preferably, be coordinated for
water body with which to meet the obligations under
of national water policy in a large number of European
each river basin.
the Water Framework Directive.
water were standards for environmentally hazardous
A new element of the Water Framework Directive is the
The Nationaal Wateroverleg (nwo) is a consultative
substances in groundwater and surface water.
obligation to produce results relating to the implemen-
body in which the central government (VenW, vrom,
In the 1980s, this was followed by guidelines for the
tation of measures in the river basin management plans.
lnv) and the umbrella organisations of the provinces,
treatment of urban wastewater and the reduction of
This means that the measures from the first river
water boards and municipalities participate. The
nitrate and phosphate pollution in agriculture. Then
basin management plan must be implemented in the
different levels of government also hold administrative
came guidelines for the protection of flora, fauna
2009 2015 period. In the event of a phased approach
coordination meetings for each (constituent) river basin
and habitats, and bathing water. All this resulted in
(which applies to many of the Dutch waters), it is
(Regional Administrative Consultation Committees,
a significant improvement in water quality. However,
necessary to report which measures will be imple-
RBO). The Netherlands is divided into four river
in the 1990s an awareness/understanding emerged
mented after 2015. While these measures are not subject
basins: Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt. The Rhine
that good water quality would only be possible by
to an obligation to produce results, the parties are
river basin is subdivided into four constituent river
taking a single, integrated approach within river
obligated to perform to the best of their ability. By the
basins: Rhine-West, Rhine-East, Rhine-Central and
basins, that also involved citizens and stakeholders.
time the second river basin management plan is
Rhine-North. The Ems river basin is subdivided into
This prompted the formulation of the Water Framework
adopted in 2015, the Netherlands will have committed
two constituent river basins: Lower Ems and Ems-
Directive, which was adopted in 2000.
itself to an adjusted programme of measures with an
Dollard. This means that there are eight (constituent)
obligation to produce results for the 2016 2021 period.
river basins in the Netherlands.
2.2 New national cooperation
2.3 Impetus for international

cooperation
countries. The first binding agreements concerning
Another new aspect of the Water Framework Directive

in addition to this river basin approach is the focus
on ecological water quality. As good ecological water
quality differs for each type of water, the member
In order to effectively implement the Water Framework
states of the European Union jointly developed an
Directive, intensive consultations have taken place
The Water Framework Directive has given a new
ecological yardstick for each type of water. Good
between the authorities involved and the interest
impetus for international cooperation. There are two
ecological water quality is determined on the basis of
groups. Citizens have been informed and consulted.
such aspects as the presence of fish, phytoplankton,
Because water management in the Netherlands is
benthic invertebrate fauna and water plants, as well
strongly decentralised and the water boards have
as physicoc hemical parameters, such as temperature,
their own management and financing system, it was
oxygen, acidity and phosphate and nitrogen levels in
decided to set up a new collaborative structure in
2 VenW Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management;

VROM Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment;
LNV
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Table 1 Number of bodies of surface and groundwater for the Dutch part of each river basin
River basin
Ems
Surface water bodies
Groundwater bodies
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Table 2 Number of government bodies in the Netherlands involved in each river basin
Government body
Water boards
Rhine
Meuse
155
Provinces
Rhine
491
11
Municipal councils
56
724
23
Central government (VenW (incl. RWS ),

LNV and VROM)
Scheldt
Total
Meuse
18
Scheldt
Ems
10
305
121
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forms of cooperation:
developments until 2015. Another step is the descrip-
in a river basin and between river basins themselves
Cooperation with all countries in an international
tion of water services, including an estimate of the cost
would not be too large.
river basin. This mainly concerns the large, trans-
recovery percentage. In 2006, monitoring programmes
boundary rivers. There is also close cooperation
were set up to measure the status of the groundwater
The regional processes primarily analysed the
with existing international river committees for
bodies and surface water now and in the future (krw
additional measures required at local and regional
Rhine, Meuse, Scheldt and Ems.
measuring network). In 2009, these monitoring
level to solve problems related to pollution or an
programmes were updated and incorporated into the
unnatural hydromorphology of waters. The ministries
Coordination with our immediate neighbours

concerning the groundwater and surface water on or
river basin management plans.
rivers flowing towards the Netherlands.
of VenW, vrom and lnv examined whether international

and national policy on hazardous substance manage-
near the borders. This mainly concerns streams and

The data from the krw monitoring network was used to
ment could be tightened. A new national action
determine the current status of the groundwater and
programme for diffuse sources was adopted in 2007.
The countries have together drafted a portmanteau river
surface water. Where necessary, water management
basin management plan for each of the international
authorities added extra measurements and specific
In 2009, the four draft river basin management plans
river basins (Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt). These
area-related knowledge. Human impact on the water
were available for consultation of public inquiry a
describe the current problems in the river basin and
bodies was also catalogued. These are substances and
period of six months. The draft versions of the National
what joint measures are taken by the countries.
sources resulting from human activity that pollute the
Water Plan, the Management and Development Plan for
water as well as physical interventions that have a
National Waters, the provincial water plans or provin-
negative impact, such as solid banks and (ground)
cial spatial plans, and the water management plans of
water abstraction. This knowledge has been used to
the water boards were also available. The opinions
formulate the objectives and the related measures for
received were addressed and the resulting changes
each body of groundwater and surface water.
incorporated into the final plans. Also included was an
2.4

Method followed for drawing up

the river basin management plans
A number of steps precede the actual formulation of
overview of the modifications resulting from the public
the river basin management plans. First of all, the

surface water and groundwater in the Dutch part of a
In 2005 and 2006, the water management authorities
participation procedure. In 2009, an overview of the
river basin is divided into water bodies on the basis of
conducted a general review to determine objectives
effects of climate change on water quality was included
several criteria. The smallest waters, i.e. streams with a
and measures. The results of this review were collated
in the river basin management plans, together with the
river basin smaller than 10 km 2, or waters with a surface
in the 2006 Decembernota policy document. Regional
findings of a check of the robustness of the proposed
area smaller than 50 hectares, are excluded and are not
processes were used for a detailed analysis of the
programme of measures in respect of climate change.
part of a water body. All in all, there are 724 surface
objectives and measures in the 2006-2007 period.
water bodies and 23 groundwater bodies in the
These regional processes were supervised by the water
Netherlands (see table 1).
management authority with all other levels of government (see table 2) and immediate stakeholders taking
The river basin is described and an economic analysis
part. The working method was coordinated at national
performed, including a forecast of the economic
level to ensure that the differences between the regions
3 RWS
Rijkswaterstaat
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3 Four river basins

The Netherlands is part of four international river basins: Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt.
This chapter contains a brief description of the Dutch part of these river basins.
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3.1
Introduction
Another typically Dutch phenomenon is the largescale damming up of tidal outlets to protect the
3.2
The Ems river basin
The Netherlands is located in the delta of four major
country from flooding. The construction of the
Location
rivers. As a result, the Netherlands is a flat and
IJsselmeer dam (Afsluitdijk) in 1932 transformed the
The Ems rises in Germany and is 371 km long. The
low-lying country, with approximately 26% of its
Zuiderzee into the IJsselmeer lake. The Delta Project
river flows mostly through Germany and discharges
surface area located below sea level.
in the southwestern Netherlands and in the Lauwers
into the Ems Dollard. The surface area of the Ems
meer was constructed in the wake of the 1953 flood
river basin totals 18,000 km 2, a relatively small part
River deltas are often densely populated because of
disaster. Here, too, the construction of dams created
of which (2,600 km2) is located in the Netherlands.
their favourable location along the water and the
freshwater lakes. The Oosterschelde flood barrier
presence of fertile arable soil. This is also true for
offers a unique solution for the Oosterschelde that
The Dutch part of the Ems river basin consists of two
the Netherlands, which is one of the most densely
largely safeguards the supply of salt water and the
very different sections: the Lower Ems area and the
populated areas in the world.
tidal action.
Ems Dollard area, including the coastal zone.
The Netherlands low-lying position, the intensive
Below is a brief description of the Dutch part of the
The Dutch part of the Ems river basin covers most of
land use and the transport over water have drastically
Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt river basins.
the province of Groningen and a small part of the
changed the water system in many places. Particularly
province of Drenthe. The Ems river basin as a whole
in the low-lying part of the Netherlands, most of the
has a population of 3 million, of whom approximately
smaller surface waters were excavated by humans.
480,000 live in the Netherlands.
The shape and natural dynamics of many rivers,

streams and lakes have also substantially changed
Spatial characteristics
as a result of human intervention.
The Dutch part of the Ems river basin consists largely

of farmland (mainly arable farming). In the south is
Typical phenomena in the Netherlands are the
the Drents Plateau with its many sandy areas, the
polders and reclaimed lakes. Surplus water is
central part consists mostly of former peat district,
collected via a system of small canals and discharged
and the northern part is covered by marine clay
to the surrounding external water by means of
polders. Most urban areas are in and around the city
pumping stations and discharge sluices. The hydro
of Groningen.
logical regime in the Netherlands is highly artificial.

In summer, water levels are relatively high to ensure
Protected areas
sufficient water for the crops. In winter, water levels
The Dutch part of the Ems river basin contains
are kept relatively low to create sufficient storage
several protected areas: eight Natura 2000 areas, one
capacity in the event of heavy rainfall.
area for shellfish waters, 48 bathing waters, one
Figure 1 Boundaries of the Dutch part of the Ems river basin
surface water body and one groundwater body for the

abstraction of water for human consumption.
Characteristics of the surface water system
The Ems Dollard is part of the Ems estuary and has a
gradual freshwater/saltwater gradient. Large parts of
the intertidal area are uncovered by water at low tide.
An interesting aspect is that the border between the
Netherlands and Germany in this area is contested.
Because it is such a substantial part of the Ems
Dollard area, the two countries have decided to
cooperate closely on water and nature management
here.
In the subarea of the Lower Ems on Dutch territory,
the rivers Hunze and Drentse Aa discharge water from
the Drents Plateau to the Ems Dollard. The northern
part of the province of Groningen consists mostly of
low-lying polders, where water is discharged into
offshore water by means of discharge sluices or
drainage. In summer, water for the IJsselmeer is
supplied from the Rhine river basin. The water is let
in at Lemmer and transported to the low-lying areas
of the Ems river basin via the province of Friesland.
There is only one location (near De Punt in de Drentse
Aa) where surface water is abstracted for the production
of drinking water.
There are 22 designated surface water bodies in the
Ems river basin. With the exception of the Ems
Dollard coast, all of them have the status heavily
modified or artificial.
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Characteristics of the groundwater system

The groundwater in the Dutch part of the Ems river
3.3
The Meuse river basin
water bodies, and three groundwater bodies that have

been designated for abstraction of water for human
basin flows from the Drents Plateau toward the Ems
Location
Dollard estuary. The layers of boulder clay in the soil
The Meuse (or Maas in Dutch) rises in France and has
exhibit poor permeability, causing stagnation of the
a length of 905 km. With a river basin of 36,000 km 2
groundwater between the Drents Plateau and the flat,
covering four countries (France, Belgium, Germany
Streams occur in a large part of the Meuse river basin.
lower lying area to the northeast. In the distant past,
and the Netherlands), the Meuse is one of Western
Those in the hills of Limburg are relatively fast-
this led to peat formation. This peat was extracted on
Europes medium-sized rivers. The Dutch part totals
flowing and of significant value for nature and the
a large scale in the last century.
some 7,700 km 2 and covers the entire province of
landscape. The streams on the sandy soils of Noord-
Limburg, the major part of the province of Noord-
Brabant are also interesting in terms of nature,
The Ems river basis has two groundwater bodies:
Brabant and small parts of the provinces of Zuid-
because they mostly pass through nature reserves.
one saltwater body and one freshwater body, with
Holland and Gelderland. It is a widely varied area:
The streams through urban areas and areas of
12 locations where groundwater is abstracted for
from calcareous hilly country in the southern part via
intensive agriculture are important for the
human consumption.
sandy soils in the central part to a vast polder and
hydrological regime.
consumption.
delta area in the western part.

There also are a number of large canals in the area,
such as the Zuid-Willemsvaart and the Wilhelmina
Agriculture is dominant in the Dutch part of the
kanaal. These waterways have an important economic
Meuse river basin. Compared to the other Dutch river
function and are critical for the supply and discharge
basins, the number of large water bodies with a large
of water in dry and wet periods.
surface area is limited, formed by the Meuse itself,
Where the Meuse enters the Netherlands, it is still
former tidal inlets and the coastal water.
a fast-flowing river and the stretch known as the
The Meuse river basin as a whole has a population
Grensmaas can meander freely. Flanking the Zand-
of 8.8 million, of whom 3.5 million live in the
maas, the Meuse valley continues to the border with
Netherlands. Noord-Brabant in particular is fairly
Noord-Brabant, where the river becomes the Bedijkte
densely populated. Fifteen percent of the Dutch
Maas. Ultimately, the Meuse flows into the Hollands
Meuse river basin consists of nature reserve.
Diep and the Haringvliet and via discharge sluices to

the sea. A limited portion of the water is discharged
Protected areas
to sea from the Hollands Diep via the Volkerak-
The Dutch part of the Meuse river basin contains a
Zoommeer and the sluiceway in the Westerschelde.
total of 43 Natura 2000 areas, one area for shellfish
All these major water bodies are former tidal inlets
waters, 134 bathing water locations, five surface
that were closed off from the North Sea by construction
15
of the Delta Project after the storm surge of 1953. This

transformed them into freshwater lakes with little or
no tidal movement.
There are four locations in the Meuse river basin
where surface water is abstracted for drinking water:
Zandmaas, Haringvliet-West, Brabantse Biesbosch
and Beneden Maas. This drinking water is used on a
large scale outside the Meuse river basin.
There are 155 surface water bodies in the Meuse river
basin, some of which have the status natural. These
are six streams and small rivers (Merkske, Niers,
Swalm, Rode Beek, Roer and Gulp) and the coastal
water.
The groundwater system is characterised mainly by
the elevated Zuid-Limburg limestone plateau with its
deep stream valleys, as well as by thick sand deposits
in the tidal channels and shallow sand deposits on
the horsts. There are five groundwater bodies and
81 locations where groundwater is abstracted for
human consumption.
Figure 2 Boundaries of the Dutch part of the Meuse river basin
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3.4
The Rhine delta river basin
moraines. In the past, large tracts of land would be
inundated for months at a time. The northern part of
Almost all waters in the western, low-lying part of the
Location
the Rhine river basin is home to the Wadden Sea, the
Rhine river basin are man-made. An elaborate network
The Rhine rises in Switzerland, taking water from
low-lying polders along the Wadden Sea dyke, and
of dykes, ditches, weirs and pumping stations keep
nine countries to the sea. With a length of 1,320 km,
the Frisian lake area.
the people living and working in the polders safe.

The hydrological regime in these areas, in which the
the Rhine is the second largest river in Europe after

the Danube. The Rhine river basin has a surface area
Because of the many rivers, the IJsselmeer, Markermeer,
ditches, storage basins and canals play a key role,
of 186,000 km 2 and a population of almost 50 million.
the border lakes and the lakes in Friesland, Noord-
is fully regulated.
The Dutch part of the Rhine river basin is also called
Holland and Zuid-Holland, the Rhines water surface
the Rhine delta working area, which is the result of
is relatively large (25%). The Wadden Sea and the long
Many streams rise on the sandy ground in the central
an agreement between the Rhine riparian states to
coastal zone also make a significant contribution to
and eastern parts of the Rhine river basin. A lot of the
divide the Rhine river basin into nine working areas.
the water-rich character of this part of the Rhine river
brooks on the Veluwe are man-made. Brooks are
The Rhine river basin is the furthest downstream.
basin.
important for nature and for the hydrological regime.

Water drainage has been optimised by canalising the
The Rhine river basin is a transboundary area: 90%

of its total surface area of 31,700 km is located on
The Rhine river basin is densely populated, with
brooks, and water levels have been regulated by the
Dutch soil, and 10% on German soil. The Dutch part
over 360 people per square kilometre. The Randstad
construction of weirs.
of the Rhine river basin comprises nine provinces:
conurbation alone accounts for 40% of the Dutch
Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Flevoland, Gelderland,
population. The northern and eastern parts of the
The IJsselmeer used to be the Zuiderzee. The construc-
Overijssel and Friesland and parts of Zuid-Holland,
Rhine river basin have a relatively high level of
tion of the IJsselmeer dam and the reclamation of
Drenthe and Groningen. The German part covers
agriculture, while the central part (IJsselmeer area)
the Flevopolder have drastically changed the areas
portions of the states North Rhine Westphalia and
and the German part have a relatively large number
nature and hydrological regime. The IJsselmeer and
Lower Saxony.
of nature areas.
Markermeer lakes have become two large freshwater
Protected areas
Flevopolder and the water bodies in Flevoland were
The Rhine is characterised by widely varied geology,
The Dutch part of the river basin of the Rhine delta
constructed to drain the polder. The waters in
soil structure, landscape, relief and climate. The
contains a great many protected areas: 110 Natura
Friesland are also highly regulated. The hydrological
western part consists mainly of coastal areas, vast
2000 areas, two shellfish waters, 392 bathing water
regime requires that Rhine water is taken from the
low-lying polders and reclaimed lakes, and a river
locations, nine surface water bodies and nine ground-
IJsselmeer and then discharged to the Wadden Sea.
area. The central part comprises the large water
water bodies for abstraction of drinking water for
bodies around the (reclaimed) Flevoland and the
human consumption.
lakes. Border lakes have been created along the
One location in the IJsselmeer and two locations in
sandy Veluwe area. The eastern part is primarily
the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal are used to extract surface
made up of elevated sandy ground with a number of
water for drinking water.
17
There are a total of 491 water bodies in the Dutch part

of the Rhine. Of these, the Naardermeer, the Wadden
Sea, the Wadden Sea coastal zone and the North Sea
coastal zone are designated as natural water bodies.
There are eleven distinct bodies of groundwater in
the Dutch part of the Rhine: salt, sand, with or
without upper layer, mud flat and dune. The groundwater bodies feed plant and animal habitats that
depend on groundwater. These include Natura 2000
areas. Groundwater affects the ecological quality
of the surface water. There are 265 drinking water
extraction locations in this area.
Figure 3
Boundaries of the Rhine delta work area, which comprises the Dutch part
of the Rhine delta river basin and the adjoining part in Germany
Figure 4 Boundaries of the Dutch part of the Scheldt river basin

18
3.5 The Scheldt river basin
that the land part of the Scheldt river basin consists
No surface water is extracted for drinking water in
almost entirely of polders. The system of ditches
this river basin.
Location
discharges the collected water to the surrounding
The Scheldt rises in France, flows through three
offshore water by means of pumping stations and
There are 56 water bodies in the Scheldt river basin.
countries and is approximately 350 km long. The
discharge sluices. The hydrological regime is highly
With the exception of the North Sea coastal zone,
Scheldt river basin has a surface area of 22,000 km 2,
artificial. In summer, polder water levels are kept
these are all heavily modified or artificial.
of which 3,200 km is located in the Netherlands.
relatively high to ensure sufficient water for the
The Dutch part of the Scheldt river basin covers the
crops. In winter, the levels are relatively low to create
province of Zeeland and small parts of the provinces
sufficient storage capacity in the event of heavy
There are a total of five groundwater bodies in the
of Noord-Brabant and Zuid-Holland.
rainfall.
Scheldt river basin. A distinction is made between
In many low-lying polders, salty groundwater rises
a virtually impermeable clay layer. The groundwater
A striking characteristic of the Dutch part of the
up as seepage water. This often makes the water of
in the shallow sand layers in the Scheldt river basin
Scheldt river basin is its large water surface: almost
many polder waters brackish.
is mostly salty. Only in elevated areas and in places
35% of the area is covered by water. Three quarters
The Westerschelde is one of two estuaries that still
where the sand layers reach up to ground level has the
of the land is used for agriculture (mainly arable
exist in the Netherlands. High and low tide differ
groundwater become fresh as a result of precipitation.
farming), 10% is urban area. A relatively small part
widely and large banks fall dry during low tide.
This is the case in dune areas, creek ridges and
of the land (3%) is a nature reserve. The Scheldt river
The Oosterschelde is the other large water mass with
aeolian sand. Groundwater is abstracted for drinking
basin as a whole has a population of almost
tidal movements, although not as large as several
water in four locations: the dunes of Schouwen-
13 million, of whom 470,000 live in the Netherlands.
decades ago. After the flood disaster of 1953 it was
Duiveland, in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and in two
decided to improve the countrys flood protection. As
locations in western Brabant.
groundwater above and below the Boomse Klei,
Protected areas
part of the Delta Project, new dams and flood barriers
The Dutch part of the Scheldt river basin is home to
were constructed and dykes raised. This drastically
a number of protected areas: 18 Natura 2000 areas,
changed the Delta area. Almost all tidal inlets have
four shellfish waters, 68 bathing water locations and
been closed off in whole or in part from the North Sea
two groundwater bodies for the abstraction of water
and divided into compartments with a strongly
for human consumption.
regulated hydrological regime. Freshwater, brackish

water and salt water alternate. The required salt
content and water level of each compartment are
The waters in the Dutch part of the Scheldt river basin
regulated using sluices and weirs. Examples include
can be roughly divided into polder waters and large
the Veerse Meer, the Grevelingen and the Zoommeer.
water bodies. There are a lot of polder waters, given
19
4 What is the current situation like?

Regulations and measures have resulted in a significant improvement of the status of
the groundwater and surface water. However, population density, intensive land use and
transboundary pollution are primary reasons why clean and sufficient water is not available
everywhere in the Netherlands.
20
4.1
Water quality problems
new man-made and modified waters can not be

improved without significant adverse effects on (e.g.)
4.2
The current situation
Physico-chemical pollution
flood protection and shipping. These waters are given
The chemical and ecological status of the surface
Water quality in the Netherlands is compromised by
the status heavily modified or artificial.
water bodies and the chemical and quantitative status
substance pollution, the main substances being
The ecological objectives of these waters are then
of the groundwater bodies are assessed according to
nitrogen and phosphate, pesticides, pahs and heavy
aligned with the possibilities that the artificial or
the one out all out principle. This means that the
metals. Most pollution comes from diffuse sources,
heavily modified organisation has to offer, attempting
lowest score for one of the parameters used to determine
the key ones being fertiliser and pesticides in
where possible to take measures to limit the negative
the status is decisive for the final assessment of the
agriculture and pesticides on paved surfaces. Dirt
effects of unnatural or steep banks, barriers for fish
status score.
run-off from roads as well as exhaust fumes also
ladders and artificial water level management,
The status of the water bodies is based on the first
affect the quality of the water.
for example, into account.
results of the krw measuring network for monitoring.
Regulations and measures have significantly
Pollution coming in from abroad
the water management authorities supplemented with
reduced pollution by point sources in recent decades.
Water is not bound by borders. Because the Netherlands
additional measurement data and regional knowledge.
Nevertheless, effluent discharges from wastewater
is located in the delta of a number of major rivers,
For the assessment of the surface water and ground-
treatment plants and industries and the overflow of
a large proportion of the water comes in from abroad.
water in the Dutch part of the four river basins, see
waste water from sewage systems (in the case of
In order to be able to achieve the objectives, it is of
Figures 5 and 6.
heavy rainfall) still cause pollution.
key importance to cooperate with other countries in
These are data from the 2006 2008 period, which
the four river basins. The advantage of the Water
Chemical status of surface water
Hydromorphological alterations and water level
Framework Directive is that every member state has
The chemical status is determined on the basis of
management
the same task: achieving a good status by 2015.
attainment of the priority substances standard. Of the
The organisation and management of coastal and
At the moment, water that flows across the Dutch
four river basins, those of the Rhine and Scheldt have
transitional waters, rivers, streams and lakes are
border from abroad still exceeds the standards for
the highest percentage of water bodies with a good
closely connected to the functional uses of these
a number of substances.
rating (80%), followed by the Ems (60%) and Meuse
water bodies. Frequent modifications have been
Partly based on these cross-border problems,
(25%). In each river basin there are several substances
introduced to prevent flooding and waterlogging or to
international lists of river basin-relevant substances
that exceed the standards in a limited number of
make the water and the surrounding area suitable for
have been drawn up for each river basin. These
water bodies. In the Ems this is isoproturon. In the
shipping, living or agriculture. Such modifications
substances include copper, zinc, pcbs, pahs and
Scheldt river basin these are cadmium and diuron.
include the canalisation of rivers and streams, the
certain pesticides.
Substances that exceed the standard in the Rhine
construction of dykes (reclamation) and drainage
river basin are primarily indeno(1,2,3c,d)pyrene and
(water level management). Also waters such as canals
(to a lesser extent) cadmium, mercury, benzo(b)
and ditches have been man-made. Some of these
fluoranthene/benzo(k)/fluoranthene and benzo(a)
pyrene (both pahs). In the Meuse river basin, it
Figure 5 Final assessments of the chemical and ecological status of surface water bodies for
mainly concerns cadmium and, to a lesser extent,
21
the separate river basins and for The Netherlands as a whole
trifluraline and diuron. In all four river basins,

tributyltin and sometimes benzo(g,h,i)perylene/
Final assessment of the current status of the surface water - chemical
indeno(1,2,3c, d)pyrene exceed the standard in a

significant part of the major national waters.
Ecological status of surface water
Ecological quality is determined by biological
parameters, general physico-chemical parameters
and other relevant pollutants (also see 5.1 under
Good ecological status of surface water). The quality
of the biological parameters (fish, small aquatic
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
animals, water plants and algae) appears to vary

widely in individual water bodies throughout the
0%
country.
Ems
Meuse
Rhine
Scheldt
The Netherlands
Of the physico-chemical parameters, high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphate are the greatest
problem. In Rhine and Ems, transparency is regularly
Final assessment of the current status of the surface water - ecological
insufficient. Of the other relevant substances, it is

mainly copper, zinc and ammonia that exceed the
standard in many water bodies. Moreover, in the
Meuse river basin in particular some plant protection
products (dimethoate, pirimicarb), pahs (benzo(a)
anthracene) and various pcbs exceed the standard in
a relatively large number of water bodies (approx. 10%).
100%
80%
60%
40%
In the Scheldt, the same applies to benzo(a)anthracene.

Unlike a few surface water bodies in the Rhine river
basin, none of the surface water bodies in the Meuse,
Scheldt and Ems river basins has been awarded the
rating good, because all these parameters are
combined for the assessment of the ecological status.
Satisfactory
20%
Unsatisfactory
0%
No data available
Ems
Meuse
Rhine
Scheldt
The Netherlands
22
Chemical status of the groundwater bodies
Figure 6 Final assessments of the chemical and quantitative status of the groundwater bodies
Of the 23 groundwater bodies, 14 have a good rating
for the separate river basins and for the Netherlands as a whole.
for chemical status. Occasionally, phosphate (Ems,

Rhine), chloride (Rhine) and arsenic (Scheldt and
Final assessment of the current status of the groundwater - chemical
Ems) exceed the standard in the deep groundwater.

This usually has a natural cause, so no measures are
100%
specified. In a number of bodies of groundwater, the

standards for nitrate (Meuse) and pesticides (Ems,
Scheldt) are exceeded. Measures (mainly generic)
can be taken to tackle these problems. Based on the
extent to which standards are exceeded, about half
of groundwater catchments for human consumption
(drinking water and foodstuffs industry) run the risk
80%
60%
40%
20%
of deterioration of water quality.

0%
Quantitative status of the groundwater bodies
Ems
Meuse
Rhine
Scheldt
The Netherlands
The quantitative status of all groundwater bodies is

good. This means that there is no depletion of the
available groundwater. Abstracted groundwater is
Final assessment of the current status of the groundwater - quantity
sufficiently replenished with precipitation surpluses

or infiltrations.
Aside from the quantitative status of the groundwater
bodies, the task for the Natura 2000 areas that
depend on sufficient quantities of groundwater is
to ensure that the groundwater level does not drop.
100%
80%
60%
40%
For these areas, measures have been included in

the wfd programme of measures.
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Unsatisfactory
Ems
Meuse
Rhine
Scheldt
The Netherlands
23
5 What do we want to achieve?

The objectives for surface and groundwater as laid down in the Water Framework Directive
stipulate that a good status must be achieved by 2015 (in exceptional cases no later than 2027).
This chapter explains what this means and what objectives have been set.
24
5.1
Objectives
The objectives for surface water bodies are determined

on the basis of chemical and ecological quality. The
general physico-chemical parameters: phosphate,
water intrusion. Nature areas that depend on the
nitrogen, acidity, temperature, salinity and
supply of sufficient groundwater of good quality must
transparency;
not become depleted as a result of human activities.
specific pollutants, for which standards have been
objectives for groundwater bodies are determined on
identified at national level and where possible
5.1.4 Drinking water abstraction
the basis of chemical quality and quantitative status.
harmonised internationally for each river basin.
The Water Framework Directive specifically addresses

the quality of the surface water and groundwater that
Other waters not designated as a water body must be

of such quality as to not hinder the achievement of
When a water body is designated as heavily modified
is abstracted for human consumption now and in the
goals in the water bodies.
or artificial, authorities are free to determine for this
future. The quality of this water must not deteriorate.
water body what good ecological quality fits with the
Protection zones will be established to protect
5.1.1 Good chemical status of surface water
deviating status. See section 5.2 for a more detailed
drinking water abstraction locations.
The chemical status of surface water bodies relates to
explanation. A substantial part of the surface waters
substances for which standards have been determined
in the Netherlands has been designated as heavily
at European level. These are 33 priority substances
modified or artificial. This designation and the
and eight pollutants from other, existing European
reasons for it are being justified in the river basin
Standards for chemical quality of surface waters have
directives, including pesticides. Thirteen of the
management plans and the water plans of Rijkswater-
been set at the European level, applying to all member
priority substances have been identified as priority
stat and the provinces.
states of the European Union, while ecological
hazardous substances. Emission and discharge of
5.2
Realistic goals
objectives have been set at national level.
these substances must be reduced to zero where
5.1.3 Objectives for groundwater
Determining the ecological objectives for waters
possible.
The chemical status of groundwater relates to
depends on the type of water as well as on the status
standards established in part at European level
heavily modified or artificial.
5.1.2 Good ecological status of surface water
(nitrate and plant protection products) and in part at
If the ecological objective can only be reached using
The ecological quality of surface water bodies has been
national level (threshold values for chloride, nickel,
hydromorphological recovery measures that have
divided into environmental objectives for:
arsenic, cadmium, lead and phosphate). Groundwater
significant adverse effects on key uses, such as
biological species of the categories algae,
must be chemically clean and available in sufficient
shipping or safety (flooding), the ecological objectives
quantities.
for a certain type of water may be modified. This
water plants, small aquatic animals and fish;
This quantitative objective determines that the
option is subject to stringent conditions, and only the
level and discharge fluctuations, variations in
abstraction of groundwater from a groundwater body
ecological objective can be adjusted, not the chemical
width and depth, and structure of the riparian and
must be balanced by natural or artificial replenishment.
objective. Analyses by the water management
shore zone;
Moreover, the volume of the groundwater may not
authorities show that a large proportion of the surface
diminish to the extent that it hinders attaining the
waters in the Netherlands is artificial or heavily
objectives for bodies of surface water or causes salt
modified.
hydromorphological parameters, such as water
25
Figure 7 Overview of the method of setting objectives for surface water and groundwater
Good status of groundwater
Good status of surface water

chemically
clean
Priority substances
Other existing
substances with
standards
at European level
ecologically
sound
Morphological
conditions /
hydromorphology
Specific
pollutants
Biology:
- algae
- water plants
- fish
- small aquatic animals
General
physico-chemical,
such as:
- transparency
- N, P
chemically
clean
sufficient
Nature
National
threshold values
Substances with
standards
at European level
Human use
Table 3
Number of surface water bodies (SWB) per river basin, for which extension
Table 4
Number of groundwater bodies (GWB) per river basin, for which extension
of deadlines after 2015 is necessary.
of deadlines after 2015 is necessary.
River basin
Number of
SWBs requiring
phasing
River basin
Percentage of
SWB phasing (%)
Total number
of GWBs
number of
GWBs requiring
phasing
Percentage of
GWB phasing (%)
22
18
82
Ems
50
Meuse
155
137
88
Meuse
40
Rhine
491
422
86
Rhine
11
27
Ems
Scheldt
Total
26
Total number
of SWBs
5.3
56
48
86
Scheldt
724
625
86
Total
Who sets the objectives?
Environmental quality requirements for bodies of
5.4

When will the objectives be

achieved?
20
23
35
knowledge and understanding. Examples of

pollutants to which this may apply are PAHs, TBT,
nitrogen, phosphate and a number of pesticides.
groundwater and surface water are laid down in the
The objectives for all water bodies must be achieved
Decree on the quality requirements and monitoring
by 2015. Targets may be lowered or deadlines may be
Of the 23 groundwater bodies, 15 are expected to
of water (Besluit kwaliteitseisen en monitoring water,
extended, albeit under specific conditions. Extending
reach the objectives by 2015. The other 8 (35%) will
Bkmw 2009). An exception is made for ecological
the deadline beyond 2015 is permitted for one or more
not reach their objectives until after 2015 (see table 4).
objectives for artificial and heavily modified surface
of the following reasons:
water bodies, which are included in the water plans.
the required improvements cannot technically
For the main water system, this is the Management

and Development Plan for National Waters, for the
regional waters the provincial water plan or provincial spatial plan.
be achieved within that period;

achieving the improvements is disproportionately
expensive;
natural circumstances obstruct timely
improvement.
Expectations are that for a significant proportion of
the waters in the Netherlands not all objectives will
be achieved by 2015. Of the 724 surface water bodies,
99 are expected to meet the objectives in 2015, while
the target objectives for 625 water bodies (86%) will
not be achieved until after 2015. See table 3 for the
number of water bodies in each river basin for which
the objectives are expected to be attained in 2015 and
which require time extension beyond 2015.
Seeing as the objectives for a number of pollutants
are not expected to be achieved even by 2027, it has
already been indicated that they will probably have to
be lowered in the river basin management plans to be
formulated in 2021. Implementation of the measures
is a step-by-step process, so that the targets may, if
necessary, be lowered in 2021 based on advanced
6 What measures will we be taking?

A programme of measures needs to be set up for each river basin. This chapter summarizes the
programmes of measures for the four river basins. The programme of measures for each river
basin is included in the river basin management plan.
6.1
Introduction
Since the mid-1970s, agreements have been reached
for the implementation of European directives other
in the International Rhine Commission on reducing
than the wfd. Some measures are still in the
The Pollution of Surface Water Act (Wet verontreini-
the discharge of chemicals, salt and thermal dis
implementation stage. There are thirteen directives
ging oppervlaktewateren), that came into force in 1970
charges. The fire at Sandoz in 1986 and the resulting
of direct relevance to water quality, including the
in the Netherlands marked the start of a progressive
Rhine Action Programme boosted international
Nitrates Directive, the Urban Waste Water Directive,
and successful water quality piece of legislation.
collaboration in the Rhine river basin. An International
the Plant Protection Products Directive, the Habitat
Licensing has greatly decreased pollution from
Ems Commission has also been in place for many
Directive and the Drinking Water Directive.
industrial discharges, while significant progress has
decades. The 1990s saw the establishment of inter
There are also measures that are based on national
also been made as a result of the construction and
national river commissions for the Meuse and
policy and adopted as generic measures. These are
improvement of wastewater treatment plants. Over
Scheldt. All commissions have worked hard in recent
sometimes concretised for specific areas, such as in
the years, attention has shifted from point sources to
years on implementing the Water Framework Directive.
relation to licensing by provinces and water boards,
diffuse sources, such as pollution from fertilisers,
Joint analyses of the problems in the river basin have
measures for improving water quality under the
heavy metals, PAHs and pesticides.
been performed and programmes of measures
National Water Plan, and measures to prevent
coordinated. Agreements for substances relevant to
flooding and waterlogging for Water Management
This has resulted in a significant improvement of
river basins such as nutrients, pesticides, cadmium,
in the 21st Century. This has already resulted in
chemical water quality. At the same time, however,
copper and zinc are also being prepared. Further
a comprehensive set of hydromorphological recovery
the realization dawned that ecological water quality
agreements will have to be reached in the coming
measures. Other examples of measures based on
also deserved more attention. This is reflected in the
planning periods.
national policy concern regulation of the abstraction

of surface water and groundwater, metering and
Third and Fourth National Policy Documents on

Water Management. Since the early 1990s, Dutch
water management authorities have also invested
substantially in improving the ecological structure.
6.2
Basic and supplementary measures
pricing drinking water, levying groundwater tax and

measures to promote sustainable and efficient water
Every programme of measures contains basic
use and realise cost recovery of water services.
measures and, where necessary, supplementary
Managing the abstraction of surface freshwater and
6.1.1 EU directives and international agreements
measures. Basic measures are all measures ensuing
groundwater and the artificial replenishment of
Most water quality policies are generic and apply to
from European obligations and national generically
groundwater bodies are also part of this.
the Netherlands as a whole. Most regulations and
applicable policy. Supplementary regional measures
legislation focus on the construction of sewers, waste
are all measures taken for specific water bodies with
6.2.2 Supplementary measures
water treatment, limiting nitrate and phosphate
a view to achieving the wfd objectives.
Water quality will greatly improve once all basic

measures have been implemented. However, for many
from fertilisers and the restrictive admittance of

pesticides. Much of this national policy concerns
6.2.1 Basic measures
water bodies the objectives for groundwater and
an elaboration of European directives.
The set of measures as a whole mainly comprises
surface water are still not expected to be achieved.
measures based on existing generic policy developed
This requires supplementary measures. These are
27
28
Licensing
The 2009 Decree on the quality requirements and monitoring of water (Bkmw 2009) stipulates
that, in adopting the water management plan and the provincial water or spatial plan, the
water management authorities and the provinces, respectively, take the environmental quality
requirements of the WFD into account. These plans should, therefore, indicate what measures
are being taken to meet these requirements. As regards chemical quality, current licensing
policy, including the emission-immission test for surface waters, and the existing general rules
remain the starting point for assessing point sources. By periodically upgrading the state of
the art in terms of best available technologies and best environmental practices taking into
account cost effectiveness and economic capacity of companies and sectors and applying
this in the source-oriented approach, total emissions and discharges in the management area
can be reduced, creating space for new activities and related emissions. In this way, economic
activities are disconnected from the resulting environmental impact in an attempt to achieve
environmental objectives. In the event of localised disproportionate growth of preferred
activities, the management plan in question will indicate how these activities are or can be
made compatible.
If water conditions are insufficient as a result of environmental impact from existing inputs
and these inputs cannot be reduced or not in time, this may mean that, for the time being,
no permits will be granted for new inputs. However, a permit may nevertheless be granted
if the activity for which a permit has been requested is of significant public interest and
if adequately limiting the new discharge or emission is technically not feasible or
disproportionally expensive now or in the near future. In that case, the plan must indicate
that the environmental quality requirement cannot be achieved and that the target must be
lowered. This will have to be thoroughly substantiated.
mainly regional and site-specific measures such as
Municipalities can also limit diffuse discharges by
the hydromorphological restoration, the construction
using non-leaching construction materials and
over and above the statutory minimum along
of ecological corridors, and designing weirs, locks
reducing the use of chemical pesticides. They can
791 km of ditches and streams.
and pumping stations so that they allow fish to pass
achieve this by setting a good example or by
through. Moreover, substance discharges and
additional regulation.
establishing manure- and fertilisation-free zones
Licensing and (generic) measures reduce the environmental impact on groundwater resulting from
emissions will be reduced by modifying wastewater

treatment plants, decontaminating discharges in
Provinces and municipal councils also play a key role
pollutants (such as pesticides and nutrients) and
areas without sewer systems and tackling sewage
in the spatial incorporation of measures, for example
groundwater abstractions. These include remediation
overflows. The supplementary measures also include
creating space for restoring the meanders of streams.
and analyses of polluted locations, and the reduction
the restoration of existing water-rich areas and
An important tool is the land use plan. Municipalities
of leaching and inflow of pesticides and other
projects in the areas of research, development and
grant building permits and inform citizens about
pollutants to groundwater abstraction locations for
demonstration.
water quality. They also take into account the
human consumption. The measures necessary for
importance of surface water protection through
industrial abstractions will be studied in more detail
execution of the Watertoets (Water Test). All these
in the first planning period. The Mergelland nitrate
6.3
The measures
activities are in line with current municipal policy.
tary local and regional measures needed to further
6.3.1 Reducing the environmental impact of
reduce pollution and improve ecological quality.
pollutants
The central government is responsible for an effective
The environmental impact on surface water resulting
regulatory framework, including the implementation
from nutrients and pollutants (such as pesticides and
of European directives. It also sees to effective coordi-
heavy metals) is primarily reduced by means of
nation with other policy fields, so that any measures
national measures and licensing, although supplemen-
taken in other areas can contribute to improving the
tary regional measures also contribute. The key
water quality. The water management authorities are
supplementary measures in the first planning period
responsible for most of the programme of supplemen-
(2009-2015) include:
tary measures. Rijkswaterstaat manages the main
modifying 115 sewage overflows;
water system, the water boards manage the regional
removing approx. 6 million m3 of polluted dredge
surface water system and shallow groundwater, and

the provinces manage the deep groundwater system.
Municipalities are responsible for measures relating
to sewers, the disconnecting rainwater from the sewer
system, and the management of urban water.
study (Nitraatonderzoek Mergelland) pays areaspecific attention to the problem of nitrate in the
This section contains an overview of the supplemen-
(from aquatic sediments);

improving purification of 50 wastewater treatment
plants;
groundwater in the Meuse river basin.
29
30
6.3.2 Improving ecological water quality
agreement, such as within the framework of subsidy
The drastic hydromorphological changes of most
schemes.
surface waters are a particular impediment to proper
The measures in the 2016 2027 period are subject to
ecological development. It is, therefore, no more than
a best efforts obligation. This may be deviated from
logical that supplementary sets of regional measures
in the next river basin management plan, which is to
are aimed primarily at adjusting the hydromorphology,
be adopted in 2015. At that time, a new obligation for
management and maintenance of water systems. For
measures to be carried out will be agreed on for the
the first planning period (2009 2015), a comprehen-
new planning period (2016 2021).
sive programme has been established that includes

the following measures:
construction of 1,734 km of nature-friendly banks
(nfb) along standing waters;
construction of 806 km of nature-friendly banks
along flowing waters, and remeandering streams;
widening over 1,100 m of watercourses and
constructing them as wetlands;
modifying 628 structures to improve fish migration.
6.4
Implementation
Preparations for the implementation of the measures

are underway at many places. To improve efficiency,
they are linked to other area-related projects planned
for the next few years (synergy). With a view to the
obligation to carry out the measures, each of the
executive authorities will closely monitor implementation of the programme of measures. Progress for each
The programme is represented in tables 5 to 8.
(constituent) river basin will also be addressed in the
A distinction has been made between measures for the
Regional Administrative Consultation Body (Regionaal
first planning period (2009 2015) and for the next two
Bestuurlijk Overleg, RBO). Every year, a progress report
planning periods (2016 2027). The set of measures for
will be submitted to the Lower House.
the 2009 2015 period is subject to an obligation to
The first formal Water Framework Directive progress
carrying out these measures. Construction measures
report on the implementation of the programme of
included by water management authorities for which
measures will be formulated in 2012 and sent to the
land must be acquired e.g. for the construction of
European Commission.
nature-friendly banks or for which agreements must

be reached with managing authorities, such as the
establishment of manure- and fertilisation-free zones
over and above the statutory minimum, are specified
on the basis of voluntary acquisition or voluntary
31
Table 5 Summary overview of the supplementary measures for the Dutch part of the Ems river basin for the 2010 - 2015 and 2016 - 2027 periods
32
Ems
RBMP
Name of measure
Unit
Total 2010 - 2015
Tackling sewage overflows
ha / no.
67 / 4
Decreasing impact of wwtp
no.
Disconnecting paved surface
ha
Decontamination of polluted soils / groundwater
no.
Decreasing emissions of nutrients from agriculture
no.
Removing polluted dredge
ha
15
Setting up manure- and fertiliserfree zone
km
Total 2016 - 2027
Approach to point sources
Approach to diffuse sources

55
20
Regulation of water movement and hydromorphology

Widening water syst, wetlandcreation / lowering floodplain
ha
10
Removing weir
no.
Making structures passable for fish
no.
17
Widening / nfb; slow-flowing / still water
km
44
Deepening water system (overdimensioning)
ha
113
Other hydromorphological restoration measures
ha / no.
2350 / 2
50 / -
Widening / remeandering / nfb; (fast) flowing water
km
64
53
Adjusting water level
ha
78
200
Other measures
Active vegetation- / water quality management
km / no.
41 / 1
Financial measures
no.
Creating constructed wetlands
no.
Investigations
Conducting research
no.
76 / -
10
Table 6 Summary overview of the supplementary measures for the Dutch part of the Meuse river basin for the 2010 - 2015 and 2016 - 2027 periods
Meuse
RBMP
Name of measure
Unit
Total 2010 - 2015
Total 2016 - 2027
Discontinuing non-purified discharges
no. / year
9 / 24
no.
83
Other emission-reducing measures
ha / no.
4/2
no.
12
13
ha / no.
332 / 3
118 / -
no.
Other source-oriented measures
no.
ha / m 3 / no.
1233 / 302000 / 1
Decreasing emissions from plant protection products / pesticides
ha / no.
1624 / 28
Setting up manure- and fertiliserfree zone
ha / km
62 / 697
60 / -
Widening waters & wetland creation / lowering flood plain
ha / km
264 / 6
296 / 11
Adjusting inlet / flushing / separating water
no.
no.
Making structures passable for fish
no.
144
324
km
281
697
ha / no.
250 / 13
-/2
Construction of side channel / restoring connection
km / no.
17 / 19
29 / 48
Retaining water in system capillaries
no.
WB21 measures
ha
70
Widening / remeandering / nfb; (fast-) flowing water
ha / km
18 / 385
- / 691
Adjusting (ground)water levels
ha
10790
18823
33
34
Other measures
Construction of specific habitats for fish
km
63
Creating constructed wetland
no.
Active vegetation / water quality management
ha / km
47 / 702
Active fish stock and shellfish stock management
no.
Other management measures
no.
Altering / limiting functional use
ha / no.
3 / 21
Providing information
no.
47
Construction of special habitats for flora and fauna
no.
20
Drafting a new plan
no.
28
Other instrumental measures
ha / no.
3384 / 4
Management of large-scale groundwater pollution
no.
Altering / relocating groundwater extraction
no.
no.
141
66
12 / 39
Investigations
Conducting research
Table 7 Summary overview of the supplementary measures for the Dutch part of the Rhine river basin for the 2010 - 2015 and 2016 - 2027 periods
Rhine
RBMP
Name of measure
Unit
Total 2010 - 2015
Total 2016 - 2027
km / no.
2 / 355
- / 108
m 3 / no.
30 / 23
-/6
Other emission-reducing measures
ha / km / no.
- / - / 252
2 / 14 / 7
no.
34
ha
93
no.
45
16
Decreasing emissions of nutrients from agriculture
no.
616
Other source-oriented measures
no.
Decontaminating leaching bank/shore protection
km
30
ha / km / m 3 / no.
2000 / 10 / 5567989 / 23
408 / 10 / 1957290 / -
Decreasing emissions of plant protection products / pesticides
no.
Setting up manure- and fertiliserfree zones
ha
174
Decreasing emissions from traffic / shipping
no.

Widening waters & wetland creation / lowering flood plain
ha / km / no.
840 / 18 / 1
455 / 14 / -
Shoaling the water system
ha / km / m
56 / 1 / 4000
- / 30 / 137727
Adjusting inlet / flushing / separating water
ha / no.
1900 / 76
600 / 36
ha / no.
23671 / 31
20850 / 40
Removing weir
no.
28
Making structures passable by fish
no.
426
506
ha / km / no.
75 / 1292 / 7
185 / 2553 / -
Deepening water system (overdimensioning)
ha / m / no.
1 / 94680 / 1
- / 164568 / -
ha / km / no.
6254 / 47 / 117
2418 / 89 / 154
Construction of side channel / restoring connection
ha / km / no.
- / 64 / 28
56 / 111 / 30
Retaining water in system capillaries
ha / km / no.
12 / 9 / 1
-/8/-
35
36
ha / km / no.
153 / 343 / 2
Adjusting (ground)waterlevel
no.
WB21 measure
ha / no.
737 / 499 / 24 / 1
Other measures
Construction of special habitats for fish
ha / km / no.
10 / - / 29
20 / 30 / 23
Creating constructed wetland
ha
228
ha / km / no.
948 / 978 / 3
467 / 1796 / 3
Active fish stock or shellfish stock management
ha / no.
103489 / 23
94970 / 12
Other management measures
ha / km / no.
116 / 1913 / 9
- / 55 / 17
ha / no.
332 / 1
59 / 1
Financial measures
no.
no.
17
ha / no.
11 / 3
127 / 7
Drafting new plans
no.
12
ha / no.
100 / 9
-/2
Adjusting vegetation on banks / shores
ha / km / no.
20 / 66 / 1
13 / - / -
Amending / introducing (new) legislation
no.
Managing large-scale groundwater pollution
no.
Altering / relocating groundwater extraction
no.
no.
864
328
Investigations
Conducting research
Table 8 Summary overview of the supplementary measures for the Dutch part of the Scheldt river basin for the 2010 - 2015 and 2016 - 2027 periods
Scheldt
RBMP
Name of measure
Unit
Total 2010 - 2015
Total 2016 - 2027
year
no.
Repairing leaking sewers
no.
ha
27
Setting up manure- and fertiliserfree zones
km
94
no.
Making structure passable for fish
no.
41
50
km
117
138
ha / no.
57 / 3
-/1
km
14
21
Adjusting (ground)water levels
ha
137
232
Construction of special habitats for fish
km
ha
26
Active fish stock or shellfish stock management
ha
111
no.
no.
no.
Drafting new plans
no.
ha
6749
no.
12
Other measures
Investigations
Conducting research
121
10
37
7 What are the costs and the benefits?

The protection of water quality is one of the core tasks of water management authorities in the Netherlands.
Most of the costs incurred are related to implementing current water quality management, including
maintaining the wastewater treatment plants.
The Water Framework Directive provides sets of measures that ensure that Dutch waters will be clean and
ecologically sound, and that the countries upstream make a significant contribution to achieving good water
quality in the Netherlands.
38
7.1
Introduction
7.2
Costs
carefully balanced against the affordability and

practicability of measures. It is also important to note
For years, government authorities and the business
The Water Framework Directive addresses the cost
that the programmes of measures were developed in
community have been making significant investments
aspect in three different ways. First of all in relation
area-based processes, involving authorities and
in facilities and services intended to improve water
to determining whether a surface water body has the
interest groups, considering the consequences for the
quality, such as the construction, management and
status heavily modified. This concerns the question
different interests, the effects on water quality and
maintenance of sewers and wastewater treatment
of whether the implementation of hydromorphological
the practicality and costs of the measures.
plants. A large proportion of these costs is related to
recovery measures aimed at achieving the ecological
obligations under European or national legislation
objective for the surface water in question will have
7.2.1 Land acquisition
and apply to the Netherlands and the European Union
significant negative effects on existing uses that are of
As to whether a programme of measures is cost-effective
as a whole. Moreover, measures are taken at local or
major social importance. Such recovery measures
or disproportionally expensive or not, a lot of
regional level that go beyond these basic measures.
could cause financial or economic damage to key
attention has been paid in the Netherlands to the
Such supplementary measures may concern the
activities such as shipping, flood protection or
costs of land acquisition. This represents a major cost
further reduction of pollutant emission, or the
drinking water supply. If negative effects are likely,
item for the construction of nature-friendly banks
construction of nature-friendly banks or fish passes.
recovery measures need not be taken and ecological
and allowing streams to meander again, etc.. Land
This category of measures in particular is increasing
objectives can be adjusted accordingly.
acquisition on a voluntary basis is significantly
significantly as a result of the Water Framework
A second aspect in which costs play a role is the
cheaper than expropriation, but has the disadvantage
Directive. They constitute a large step towards
cost effectiveness of programmes of measures. When
that it often takes a lot of time and that it is impossible
achieving the objectives of the Water Framework
formulating a programme of measures for one or more
to predict when exactly the land can be purchased.
Directive.
water bodies, the most cost-effective one will be
Because of the often significantly lower costs and the
opted for.
often prolonged nature of expropriation procedures,
A third aspect relates to the question of whether
programmes of measures are based on voluntary
implementation of all measures required to achieve
acquisition of land, which is why some of these
the goals by 2015 is disproportionally expensive.
measures have been postponed until the second
In that event, there is reason to extend the term
planning period.
for achieving the objectives by six or twelve years
Another effective way of reducing the costs of
(to 2027 at the latest).
measures is to link up WFD measures with other

spatial developments and previously planned
Governments have given these cost aspects ongoing
renovations of engineering structures, wastewater
attention in recent years. In formulating the programme
treatment plants (wwtps) and sewage systems, for
of measures for the four river basins under the Water
example. If such spatial developments or renovations
Framework Directive, the feasibility of objectives was
are not planned until after 2015 it is much more
favourable to implement the related measures in the
39
Table 9 Overview of investment costs of supplementary WFD measures according to period
second or third planning period (improving synergy).

This approach has resulted in a set of measures that
(x million )
significantly contributes to improving the water

quality and limits the costs as much as possible.
7.2.2 Investment costs
Ems
Meuse
Rhine
Scheldt
Total
2010-2015 period
149
503
1.502
74
2.228
2016-2027 period
119
780
1.076
27
2.002
Total
268
1.283
2.578
101
4.230
Scheldt
Total
Investment costs in the 2009 2015 period for

implementing supplementary measures in the four
river basin management plans total over 2.2 billion.
Half of this amount ( 1.1 billion) will be spent on
Table 10 Overview of investment costs of supplementary WFD measures
measures to improve water regulation and the design
for the 2009-2015 period according to type of measure
of the main and regional water systems.

Over 40% of the investment costs for supplementary
measures ( 0.9 billion) will be spent on tackling point
sources and diffuse sources. For the period after 2015,
supplementary measures for the four river basins are
(x million )
Tackling point sources
the total investment in supplementary measures under
Tackling diffuse sources
at over 4.2 billion.

See table 9 for an overview of the investment costs per
Meuse
Groundwater and surface

water abstraction
expected to total approx. 2.0 billion. This means that

the Water Framework Directive is currently estimated
Ems
Regulation of water movement

and hydromorphology
Rhine
9
9
594
43
110
441
40
251
303
91
297
688
35
1.111
river basin, divided into time periods. Table 10 presents
Supplementary measures
47
60
26
142
a division of investment costs for the different categories
Conducting research
53
69
149
503
1.502
74
2.228
of additional measures per river basin for the first

planning period (2009 2015).
Total
40
Figure 8
Percentage of water bodies per river basin to reach biological parameter objectives in 2015
Goal attainment 2015 Ems
Goal attainment 2015 Meuse
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton
Other water flora
Other water flora
Macrofauna
Macrofauna
Fish
Fish
Total P
Total P
Total N
Total N
Transparency
Transparency
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
0%
Goal attainment 2015 Rhine
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Goal attainment 2015 Scheldt
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton
Other water flora
Other water flora
Macrofauna
Macrofauna
Fish
Fish
Total P
Total P
Total N
Total N
Transparency
Transparency
% No goal attainment
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
% Goal attainment
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
7.3
Benefits
The further reduction of emissions of plant
and an attractive climate for establishing business.
protection products by tightening admittance
Moreover, the improvement of the water quality and
The implementation of the measures is a major step
policy which will be geared to the quality
the redesign of watercourse increase the number of
towards clean and ecologically sound surface water
objectives and the monitoring data of the wfd
recreational options. Finally, improvement of the
and clean and sufficient groundwater.
and tackling drinking water supply problems;
quality of the (ground)water may, in due course,
The implementation of measures in countries

7.3.1 Attaining wfd objectives
upstream.
simplify the purification of drinking water.

All these benefits have a use-related and amenity
value, with possible positive effects on health. These
The water management authorities have estimated

the expected extent of goal attainment in 2015 by
The water management authorities estimate that all
benefits are difficult to express in monetary terms,
implementing measures in the first planning period.
measures proposed for the 2009 2027 period
which is confirmed in the Ex ante evaluation of the
Figure 8 presents a summary of a number of relevant
together represent a significant step towards achieving
Water Framework Directive.
parameters regarding the ecological status for the
the goals by 2027. This is confirmed by the ex ante
The key gain of all these efforts will be that future
river basins of the Ems, Meuse, Rhine and Scheldt.
evaluation of the Water Framework Directive
generations will also have sufficient and clean water.
carried out in the spring of 2008 by the Netherlands

The chemical quality of the surface water is expected
Environmental Assessment Agency (Planbureau voor
to gradually improve by 2015 and beyond in terms of
de Leefomgeving) on behalf of the Ministry of
both priority substances and specific pollutants.
Transport, Public Works and Water Management.
This is the result of:

Continuing the Waterwet-vergunningverlening
7.3.2 Benefits of the measures
(licensing under the Water act) by means of a
Implementation of the measures results in a
source-oriented approach and application of the
considerable improvement in water quality.
emission-immission test, in which the wfd quality
This has direct benefits in terms of greater bio
requirements are incorporated using the water
diversity: a higher natural value in and outside of
management plans;
the Natura 2000 areas, such as more species of algae,
Further improvement of the wwtps, the cleaning
water plants, macrofauna and fish.
up waste water discharges and the improvement of

the sewage system by tackling overflows and
Clean and transparent water combined with attractive,
disconnecting paved surfaces;
nature-friendly banks and other wet nature areas
The remediation of polluted aquatic soils in

regional and national waters;
also improve spatial quality. This takes the form of a

better living environment, a better residential quality
41
Figure 9 KNMI climate scenarios 2006
Source: www.knmi.nl/klimaatscenarios/
Airflow patterns
changed
G+
+ 1C
W+
Global temperature
+ 2C
in 2050 compared to 1990
42
unchanged
Table 11 Estimate of the sensitivity of water types to impact related to climate change
Watertypes
Still waters
(lakes)
Flowing waters
(rivers)
Coastal waters
Transitional
waters
Groundwater
Impact
Eutrophication
Salinisation
Regulation of water level
(fluctuations)
Discharge dynamics
almost always sensitive

sensitive where affected
Connectivity
sensitivity minor or heavily

dependent on local circumstances
Thermal load
negligible
8 What is the impact of climate change?

The climate is changing: for this century, a significant climate change is predicted for which European countries must
prepare. It has been agreed, therefore, that the river basin management plans should also address the effects of climate
change on water quality and water management.
To analyse whether the proposed programmes of measures from the river basin management plans are climate proof,
an estimate was made in 2009 of the expected effectiveness of the proposed supplementary WFD measures under
the conditions of the forecast future climate.
8.1
Introduction
8.2
KNMI climate scenarios
8.3

Expected effects of climate

change
The European Union member states and the European
The assessment of the consequences of climate
Commission believe that climate change needs to be
change was based on four recent scenarios formulated
Effects on (ecological) water quality
included in the river basin management plans. In
by the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute knmi
The effects of climate change on the (ecological)
2008, they agreed that the river basin management
(also see Figure 9):
water quality can be divided into three categories:
plan was to contain a brief description of the effects
Moderate scenario with unchanged airflow
direct (physical) effects, such as the water levels,
of climate change on water quality and water quality

management for the river basin. The results of a
climate check of the wfd programme of measures
patterns (G)
Moderate scenario with changed airflow patterns
(G+)
water temperatures, and low and high discharge

volumes;
(physico)chemical effects, such as increasing
must be included in the river basin management plan.
Warm scenario with changed airflow patterns (W)
salinisation due to the intrusion of salt water when
This means that an estimate will have to be made as
Warm scenario with unchanged airflow patterns
discharge volumes are low, higher concentrations
to whether the different types of measures are robust
(W+)
in light of the expected climate change. In other words:
of nutrients, greater chance of algal bloom;

biological effects, such as the decrease or
will the measures continue to be effective in the face of
The moderate scenarios (G and G+) assume an
disappearance of species and shifting of the range
climate change? To answer this question, an analysis
average worldwide temperature increase of +1C in
of distribution of species.
has been performed in the Netherlands based on the
2050 compared to 1990, while the warm scenarios
available knowledge and using expert judgement.
(W and W+) assume a +2C temperature increase.
Climate change will probably also lead to changes in
A key question is whether climate change will lead
a number of impacts related to the effects described
to changes in airflow patterns in Western Europe.
above. Table 11 presents an estimate of the sensitivity
The plus scenarios (G+ and W+) expect a change in air
of the categories of water types to different types of
circulation patterns over mainland Europe, resulting
impact.
in more and longer dry periods in summer as well as

more frequent heavy rain showers. All scenarios
In summary, expectations are that climate change
assume that winters will become wetter and milder.
will result in negative effects on water quality.
Finally, it is assumed that sea levels will rise by up
Roughly speaking, this means that the task of
to 85 cm by 2100; the lower limit is a rise of 35 cm.
achieving the water quality objectives will become

more difficult in the coming years as a result of
climate change.
43
44
Climate-robustness of the measures

Almost none of the measures from the wfd programme
of measures is expected to be less effective as a result
8.4

Climate change in the 2016-2021

river basin management plan
of climate change. Most measures have a neutral or
In order to more deeply embed the consequences of
even positive score, which means that the effective-
climate change in the next river basin management
ness of the measure is expected to increase in the
plans from 2016 onwards, a number of topics will be
event of climate change. The purifying effect of water
worked out in more detail over the next few years.
purification marshes, for example, increases under
This concerns such subjects as gearing the monitoring
high temperatures, thus increasing the effectiveness
programme to climate change, updating climate
of the measure.
scenarios and cataloguing gaps in knowledge.
45
9 Where do we go from here?

At the end of this summary we would like to look ahead to see what we can expect in terms
of the Water Framework Directive over the next few years. The focus is on implementing
measures, monitoring quality improvement and starting preparations for the next river basin
management plans.
46
9.1
Implementation
9.3 The second river basin

management plan for the

2016 - 2021 period
9.4
be followed by implementation of the programme of
Based on the new monitoring results, an assessment
information can be obtained. The websites
measures for 2009 2015. This shifts the focus from
will be conducted in 2013 to determine how the
www.kaderrichtlijnwater.nl and
planning to implementation. Implementation
quality of the ground- and surface water compares to
www.Nederlandleeftmetwater.nl are sources of
progress will be monitored and reported to the Lower
the water quality objectives to be achieved by 2015.
considerable additional information.
House on an annual basis. In 2012, a progress report
The water quality in 2015 as estimated by the water
will be drafted for the European Commission.
management authorities will be used as an alternative
A period of intensive preparations that led to the

publication of the river basin management plan will
for those water bodies for which it is clear that the
9.2 Monitoring programme
objectives will not be achieved by 2015 (phased
The wfd monitoring programme and the performance
assessment will be made to see whether the measures
of research projects will serve to keep close track of
implemented until then have resulted in the expected
and record the effects that measures have on water
improvement of the water quality. These results and
quality and biological parameters. This enables us to
the Implementation of Measures 2009 2015 progress
better estimate the effects of the measures, which is
report will form the basis of the sets of measures to
quite difficult at the moment. Not only in terms of
be formulated for the 2016 2021 period and beyond.
ecological effects of organisation and management
The results of planned studies of innovations will
measures, but also of the effects of, for example,
also be used to improve water quality further.
manure-related measures on nutrient contents and
In December 2014, the second draft river basin
the response of biological organisms.
management plans will be available for inspection.
The Water Framework Directive monitoring programme
The final plans will be published by 22 December 2015
was launched in 2006 and updated in 2009.
at the latest.
Monitoring aimed at further study is being developed
Although lowering of the objectives is, in principle,
for specific surface water bodies. Based on the
possible for each river basin management plan, it was
measurement data, the effect of measures can be
decided in the 2006 Decembernota policy document
tracked, thus making it easier to assess the remaining
to wait until drafting the third river basin management
task over the next few years.
plan (in 2021) to check whether this would be
implementation). Based on this comparison, an
necessary for certain water bodies.
More information
Each river basin management plan contains a list of

responsible organisations from which background
47
48
Publication information
This is a joint publication of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management,
the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture,
Nature and Food Quality.
For more information about the river basin management plans and the National Water Plan,
see www.kaderrichtlijnwater.nl, www.nationaalwaterplan.nl and Nederlandleeftmetwater.nl.
You can also download a PDF version here.
If you would like to receive a hardcopy of this document, please contact the Helpdesk Water
on 0800-659 28 37 or contact@helpdeskwater.nl.
No rights can be derived from this document.
Text editing
Projectteam stroomgebiedbeheerplannen
Design
CO3 (www.co3.org)
Photografy

Marieke van der Velden/Hazazah (omslag, 6, 18, 23)

FotoInzicht, Henri Cormont (9, 13, 15, 17, 28, 31)
Marcel van den Berg (44)
Twan Tiebosch (47)
Printing
Thieme Deventer
22 December 2009

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2009 - 2015

River basin management plans

River basin management plans

Why should we pay attention to clean

Clean and sufficient water is of key

Four river basins

What is the current situation like?

4.1 Water quality problems

What do we want to achieve?

The Dutch approach

Water Framework Directive: whats new?

What measures will we be taking?

What are the costs and the benefits?

What is the impact of climate change?

Where do we go from here?

1 Why should we pay attention to

Clean and sufficient water is

The Water Framework Directive

national river basin districts of the Ems, Meuse,

In 2000, the eu member states adopted the Water

The essence of the river basin management plan is an

Water plays a vital role in our lives. It meets our basic

Framework Directive, the primary objectives of which

overview of the general and environmental objectives

needs and is crucial for the economic development of

are the general protection of the ecology of all waters,

for all waters and a summary of the measures to be

the Netherlands. Water is indispensable for drinking

the protection of groundwater quality and quantity,

taken to achieve them. The river basin management

water supply, agriculture, fishery, energy generation,

and the specific protection of species and habitats,

plan also comprises a general description of the area,

industry, the transport sector and tourism. Moreover,

sources of drinking water, and bathing water.

an economic analysis, an overview of the main

sufficient quantities of good quality water are

The goal is to have achieved good ecological and

a description of the effects of climate change on water

chemical status in all surface waters as well as good

quality and water management. Moreover, the river

In the second half of the twentieth century, large

chemical and quantitative status of all groundwaters by

basin management plan also includes an overview

portions of our surface water and groundwater became

2015. This means that direct discharges into ground-

of the programme of measures and the monitoring

polluted due to the increase in discharges from

water are no longer permitted and that an increase in

programme. Finally, it incorporates several maps,

industries and households as well as contamination

chemical pollution of groundwater must be prevented.

including those presenting the current state of

from diffuse sources such as agriculture, traffic and

In part, the member states are free to determine to

groundwater and surface water based on the

transport, and building materials. Moreover, the

what extent a goal must be met. For example, the