No extreme drought, but a warning about increasing pressure on freshwater supplies

While large parts of the Netherlands are struggling with severe drought, the water system of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority remains remarkably stable. The water from lake IJsselmeer, which flows into Gaarkeuken, is not being admitted at maximum capacity, and there are no restrictions on irrigation or water extraction. Director Eisse Luitjens emphasised that the area is doing well: 

“The water level is still high enough at the moment. One of the reasons is the soil, and the fact that this area has received more precipitation than the rest of the Netherlands. But pressure on freshwater resources is increasing nationwide. We, too, will begin to feel its effects. Despite the favourable starting conditions in terms of soil and the water system, our efforts are intensifying.” 

Why the north seems to be the exception 

There are significant differences compared to the rest of the Netherlands. The Noorderzijlvest region has received more precipitation in recent times than other areas. Moreover, the clay soils retain that water longer, while sandy and peatland areas in other parts of the country dry out more quickly. In addition, Noorderzijlvest has been working on water retention for years, making the system more robust. Noorderzijlvest can also bring in water from lake IJsselmeer via Friesland, which is then distributed throughout our own area and channeled to the neighbouring Hunze en Aa’s Water Authority. Water authorities in the west and south of the country are directly dependent on water from the Rhine, but the Rhine’s water level is currently at a historic low, which also means that the Rhine’s discharge is low. This explains the significant regional differences. 

No problems, but the system is under pressure 

Although there is no extreme drought in the north, Noorderzijlvest is certainly feeling the effects. The drought also requires active water management from the water authority. For example, the flood embankments and flood defences must be inspected. The water authority is also receiving many requests for irrigation, and extra effort is being put into mowing maintenance to keep water inflow and outflow optimal.  The water authority has long been concerned about the fact that demand for freshwater is steadily increasing. At the same time, a nationwide assessment is underway to determine whether water from lake IJsselmeer should be used more widely to benefit other regions. Luitjens: 

“Dividing lake IJsselmeer among the northern provinces is different from dividing it among a larger part of the Netherlands. More and more regions are dependent on the same body of water, and that calls for tough decisions, solidarity, and honesty about the consequences for our own region.” 

Drought is becoming a structural problem 

Climate change is significantly increasing the risk of freshwater shortages. While our region has never experienced a water shortage, such shortages could occur once every 10 to 50 years in the future—and likely more frequently. This has consequences for nature and agriculture, which will have less water available during crucial growth phases, as well as for water safety. Prolonged drought can damage dykes and compromise safety. Luitjens: 

“Periods of drought and periods of too little water are no longer isolated incidents. On the one hand, this means making the system future-proof, but above all, it means we must accept that drought and freshwater shortages will occur more frequently in the future. System and policy choices can limit the impact of shortages, but droughts will persist. That is why we need to act now, even if we don’t yet know everything. Anticipating these challenges also means making choices today about how we will deal with future water shortages.”

Freshwater strategy: buffering and retention 

We are striving to prepare for the future with a smart design of the water system and our water management practices. However, the scope for action we have as water authority to prevent water shortages in the future is limited.  If we want to store enough freshwater for our own region in the water system, the water level of lake Lauwersmeer must be raised by 80 to 180 centimetres, or the catchwater level must be raised by at least half a metre. 

“These measures are not always technically feasible and are also very costly. We are increasingly aware that technical interventions are no longer the solution and that we must focus on learning to cope with drought in the future.”  

In the Kop van Drenthe region, we are working to increase resilience by retaining water, so that the growing season begins with a higher groundwater level. This enhances the resilience of agriculture, nature, and water safety. 

Solidarity: help where possible, but within technical limits 

Water can be supplied via two routes: through Friesland, where it flows naturally to Groningen, and through Drenthe, where it must be pumped uphill. If the water level in lake IJsselmeer drops too low, Noorderzijlvest will be able to supply less water, or maybe none at all, which has consequences for nature, agriculture, and water quality, but ultimately also for flood protection. Luitjens: 

“We want to show solidarity, but distributing water means there’s less of it available here, which means that you may have to impose an extraction ban. We’re going to face these kinds of dilemmas more often in the future.” 

Conclusion 

The drought shows that the Netherlands needs to make structural investments in a robust water system. Noorderzijlvest is currently in good shape due to extra precipitation and its soil, but the situation is fragile. Luitjens: “It’s good to think about what a period with little or no water means for you and how you want to deal with it. Being aware of this will also make it easier for you to anticipate when we face more droughts in the future. For now, for example, it will help to avoid watering in direct sunlight. Other measures will also be needed in the future.”

“As a water authority, we’re working to make the system more natural and flexible so that we can protect ourselves against drought. At the same time, all water consumers will have to accept that we’ll face droughts and periods of low water more frequently—situations the water authority cannot resolve.”