Combating exotic species
We combat giant hogweed. This invasive plant is bad for water quality and can obstruct water flow.
Large water pennywort
Giant hogweed is a floating plant that can cause nuisance in the summer. The plant can proliferate rapidly in summer temperatures. If a ditch is full of giant hogweed, the water does not flow properly. It can also crowd out other aquatic plants. This is bad for water quality. That is why we are combating this exotic species.
You can help us
- Have you noticed giant water pennywort growing in a ditch or canal in Groningen, North Drenthe, or the Lauwersmeer area? Please contact the water board.
- If you see the plant in the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier or west of the city of Groningen, there is no need to report it. We are already aware of these locations.
- Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, always dispose of plant waste from ponds and aquariums with organic waste (vegetable, fruit, and garden waste) and never in open water or municipal ponds.
What does the water board do?
We work together with contractors and agricultural contractors to remove giant hogweed from our waters. Removal must be done carefully to prevent further spread of the plant.
The plant sometimes grows so quickly that it is difficult to control. Removing it takes a lot of time and money. That is why we sometimes have to make choices. Where giant water pennywort causes the most nuisance, we clear the plant first.
In the Zuidelijk Westerkwartier and west of the city of Groningen, we have the giant hogweed reasonably under control. Every two weeks, a contractor cleans the waters of giant hogweed for us.
