Water Board Rivierenland has imposed a water abstraction ban in part of Gelderland, covering the area between the Meuse and Waal rivers. From Wednesday, residents and businesses in the municipalities of Heumen and Wijchen, southwest of Nijmegen, will no longer be allowed to draw water from ditches and streams.
“Due to the drought, we can no longer replenish surface water in the Citters areas,” a Rivierenland spokesperson said. “We want to maintain a certain water level in these areas. However, we can no longer offset evaporation and the low river level. We have introduced this ban to meet the growing demand for water. By using water at the right times, we are making smarter use of the limited water that is available.”
Between 12:00 and 18:00, people may use surface water to cool livestock buildings and spray apple and pear trees. Exceptions also apply to firefighting and providing drinking water to livestock.
Rivierenland imposed a similar water abstraction ban in this area north of the Meuse last year. The water board’s operational area lies between the major rivers and stretches from the German border to Kinderdijk.
For now, measures are only needed near Nijmegen. However, Rivierenland is urging people across its entire region to conserve water.
Water boards in the south of the Netherlands have already introduced restrictions in recent weeks. Water abstraction bans are in force across large parts of North Brabant and throughout Limburg. As a result, people may not use water from ditches, streams, and rivers to irrigate crops, gardens, or sports fields, among other purposes.
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