Drinking water supply

BACKGROUND AND REQUEST FOR ADVICE

Having sufficient and high-quality enough good-quality drinking water is often taken for granted in the Netherlands. Our drinking water is cheap and widely available, and we use it without any concerns. However, indications are that we will not be able to take it for granted to the same extent in the future. Our drinking water supply will probably reach its limits in the near future. 

The provision of drinking water depends on the availability of enough fresh surface water and groundwater of good quality. Currently, there are not enough reserves in a number of places in the Netherlands to meet a sudden increase in demand for drinking water. The availability and capacity of sources of high-quality drinking water is decreasing due to climate change and reduced water quality of surface and ground water. This leads to increased competition for freshwater among various actors. All of this means we cannot take it for granted that we will be able to rely on a stable and safe supply of good-quality drinking water in the future. 

The main request for advice is: 
What potential problems threaten the long-term sustainability of the Dutch drinking water system? What ecological, economic, cultural, institutional, social and technical factors are responsible for this? What is necessary to make the water supply system future proof?

SCHEDULE

The advisory report is expected to be published in the summer of 2025.

COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Erik Verhoef, Council committee chair and Council member

Eva van Genuchten, junior Council member

Leentje Volker, Council member