Limits on water from IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes during prolonged drought
If there is no precipitation for a long period of time, additional water is used from the IJsselmeer region. However, this cannot be done indefinitely.
During a period of extreme drought, it is important for residents and businesses in Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Groningen, North Holland, and Overijssel to know how the available water is being distributed. The 16 authorities involved around the IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes have made new agreements on this matter.
New agreements
Agreements on the regional implementation of the national displacement series.
Sufficient water seems to be a given, but it is not. When it comes to distribution, the safety of dikes is paramount, as is nature, which suffers irreversible damage from drought, and the availability of drinking water. The latter is very relevant for North Holland. PWN is the drinking water supplier for a large part of North Holland, and the IJsselmeer is the most important source for drinking water production. The company purifies it and supplies it to more than 800,000 households and businesses.
Sufficient water must be available from the IJsselmeer region (IJsselmeer, Markermeer, and Randmeren) to meet these objectives. Any surplus water will be made available for industry, agriculture, and shipping.
The agreements were signed by Rijkswaterstaat, the provinces of Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Groningen, North Holland, and Overijssel, and the water authorities Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Drents Overijsselse Delta, Hunze en Aa’s, Noorderzijlvest, Vallei en Veluwe, Vechtstromen Zuiderzeeland, Wetterskip Fryslân, and Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier.
Regional displacement series
During the dry summer of 2018, it became apparent that the agreements on water distribution in the IJsselmeer region from 2009 were no longer adequate. This is because demand for water has increased and periods of extreme drought are becoming more frequent. A new Regional Displacement Series has therefore been drawn up, setting out how water will be distributed in the event of a water shortage.
This document sets out the national water rationing plan at regional level. The plan describes which targets will receive the most water and which will be cut first. The authorities also provide clarity on the order in which water will be supplied to industry, agriculture, and shipping, and why. This ensures that everyone knows where they stand.
Distribution finalized in 2023
The water distribution plan is not yet final. In 2022 and 2023, the agreements on this will be incorporated into the provincial environmental regulations. Public consultation will also be possible at that time. If drought occurs in 2022, Rijkswaterstaat and the water boards will already act in accordance with the new agreements as much as possible. Rijkswaterstaat is the manager of the IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes, while the water boards are responsible for the distribution of water in their areas. At the same time, the authorities are consulting with users to ensure that water is used as sparingly as possible.