On 21 May, the ninth National Report on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was presented to the House of Representatives. These 17 goals form a global agenda to make the world a more sustainable and fairer place by 2030. SDG 6 – clean water and sanitation – is an essential part of this: access to safe drinking water, good sanitation, and sustainable water management are, after all, human rights and basic necessities of life. In the Netherlands, Vewin (the Association of Dutch Water Companies) and the Dutch Water Authorities act as alliance coordinators for achieving SDG 6. In a joint progress report, they present their contribution to SDG 6 in 2024 – an important step towards a future in which clean and sufficient water for everyone is guaranteed. This report shows that the Netherlands still faces major challenges, particularly regarding water quality.
Hans de Groene, director of Vewin: “Enough clean water for everyone, now and in the future. In the Netherlands we have many things in order when it comes to water, but clean and sufficient water still presents many challenges here as well. It is a good thing that Vewin, together with the Dutch Water Authorities, can contribute to SDG 6 in our country; clean water and sanitation.”
Luzette Kroon, board member International Affairs of the Dutch Water Authorities: “Healthy, clean, and sufficient water is an essential precondition for virtually all pillars of security of existence. Floods, droughts, and a lack of clean water are increasing worldwide and also pose major challenges in the Netherlands. The SDGs ensure that we continue to work together nationally and internationally towards these goals. Water quality, water safety, and the emphasis on water and soil in spatial planning are important priorities.”
Protecting water quality and ecosystems
The Netherlands still faces major challenges in terms of water quality, particularly with regard to sub-goals 6.3 (water quality) and 6.6 (protecting and restoring ecosystems). The water authorities and drinking water companies emphasize the importance of meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Emissions of substances to soil and water must be reduced or stopped as quickly as possible. This call applies in particular to pharmaceutical residues, substances of very high concern (SVHC), PFAS, microplastics, nitrate from manure, and pesticides. Reducing these emissions will improve water quality and better protect ecosystems.
Results 2024 – SDG 6 the Netherlands
The SDG 6 report for the Netherlands shows that important results were achieved in 2024. Examples include the national chain approach to pharmaceutical residues, the Sustainable Greenhouse Horticulture Platform, the Water in Action programme, the Drinking Water Sources Availability Action Programme 2023–2030, and preparations to comply with the revised European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. At the same time, major challenges remain in the area of clean and sufficient water. The quality of groundwater and surface water is under pressure from pollution originating from industry, agriculture, and households. Pressure on water availability is also increasing due to more extreme weather, leading to more flooding, drought, and growing demand for (drinking) water.
The contribution of the drinking water companies
The drinking water companies have made strong efforts to ensure clean and sufficient water. They invested significantly in additional purification to continue supplying good drinking water, even as the sources come under increasing pressure. The sector worked on control at source policies and made concrete proposals, for example to tighten the approval of chemical substances. The drinking water sector also worked at national, regional, and local levels with various parties, such as governments and farmers, to continue protecting drinking water sources.
Regarding sufficient water, particularly the security of drinking water supply, the sector helped draw up the Drinking Water Sources Availability Action Programme 2023–2030. A growing demand for drinking water requires greater production capacity. The programme includes agreements on faster permit procedures and better spatial integration of new drinking water locations.
The contribution of the water authorities
The water authorities also took important steps in 2024. For example, they successfully advocated at the European Union level for strengthened agreements on water distribution, in order to improve cross-border cooperation in river basins such as the Rhine and the Meuse. In addition, the water authorities are working intensively on implementing the revised European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. This sets far-reaching requirements for wastewater treatment. About 100 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Netherlands must add extra treatment steps to better remove micro-pollutants, such as pharmaceutical residues and other substances of concern.
For more information, see:
• https://www.sdgnederland.nl/nieuws/negende-nationale-sdg-rapportage/
• https://www.sdgnederland.nl/SDG/6-schoon-water-en-sanitair/
• SDG 6 – United Nations – Dutch