A ban on groundwater use will take effect in parts of southeastern Drenthe from Thursday, as authorities move to protect vulnerable natural areas.
Water Authority Vechtstromen said the ban applies within 200 metres of groundwater-dependent nature reserves located north of the Overijssel Vecht. The authority has identified eleven areas as especially vulnerable.
According to Vechtstromen, the precipitation deficit in these areas has exceeded 250 millimetres. Previous experience has shown that such conditions can lead to imminent and irreversible damage to sensitive ecosystems.
The authority said the situation south of the Overijssel Vecht is currently less critical. However, conditions there are being closely monitored.
Earlier, the neighbouring Rijn en IJssel Water Authority announced that groundwater pumping for irrigation would be banned from Wednesday around ten nature reserves within its area.
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