Come and help to remove waste from the water in Meerstad
During the Heart for Cleaner Water Week 2026, which takes place from June 8 through 12, students and young people will be cleaning up in Meerstad. On Friday, June 12, they will use small boats and stand-up paddleboards to remove floating debris and plastic from the water. Everyone is welcome to come help out at the Strandhuis in Meerstad between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.!
What is the Heart for Cleaner Water Week?
The Heart for Clean Water Week is an annual event during which the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority together with Groningen and Hunze en Aa’s Councils, raises awareness of clean water and a clean living environment. During this week (8–12 June), various activities are organised, such as clean-up campaigns, lessons in schools, and campaigns throughout the city.
Focus on young people too
In 2026, thanks to the work of the Noorderzijlvest youth panel, the week will also focus on young people up to age 30. Earlier this year, the youth panel began working on an assignment prompted by Noria’s study “Stop plastic from the city to the Wadden” . That study shows that a lot of rubbish from the city of Groningen – such as cans, packaging, vapes, and nitrous oxide cartridges – flows through canals and waterways towards the Eems canal and eventually the Wadden Sea.
Every year, at least 100,000 items of waste end up in nature this way. This is bad for animals, plants, and water quality. Young people play a big part in this problem and its solution. That's why the water authority asked the youth panel to help come up with ideas.