A plan to reduce pesticide pollution in the Drentsche Aa, a critical source of drinking water for northern Netherlands, has come under fire for its lack of urgency and effectiveness. Environmental group Extinction Rebellion, water utility Groningen Waterbedrijf, and several political parties, including coalition partner PvdA, voiced concerns during a provincial council meeting on Monday, RTV Drenthe reported yesterday.
The Drentsche Aa supplies drinking water to approximately 250,000 residents in Groningen and Tynaarlo. However, pollution from agricultural pesticides has occasionally forced water intake at De Punt to shut down. Groningen Waterbedrijf has detected more than 10 – and sometimes nearly 30 – different pesticides annually, with no significant decline in contamination levels.
Critics argue the plan relies too heavily on voluntary cooperation from farmers and lacks clear goals, enforcement, and deadlines. PvdA faction leader Hendrikus Loof called it a slow and ineffective approach, while Extinction Rebellion urged the removal of bulb and lily cultivation, responsible for 40% of pesticide use in the region despite occupying just 2.2% of farmland.
Some parties, like D66, proposed broader pesticide-free zones, emphasizing prevention over cleanup. However, others defended the voluntary measures, arguing farmers have already made efforts to reduce runoff. BBB’s Wenda Bolhuis dismissed concerns from Groningen Waterbedrijf as fearmongering, claiming 99.9% of the region’s drinking water meets safety standards.
Provincial councilor Willemien Meeuwissen of the VVD stressed that environmental regulations need careful legal testing before stricter enforcement can be applied. While opposition parties and Groningen Waterbedrijf push for stronger action, coalition members remain divided, leaving the future of this vital water source uncertain.
