Members of the public in a number of Dutch provinces have been asked by water companies to use water economically to prevent national supplies running out. 

Risk of water shortage in the Netherlands

According to the water companies, the amount of drinking water which has been consumed in the past few days has been unprecedented. The companies have cited staycations as the main reason for this. The Netherlands has also been experiencing a national heatwave since August 5, which has also lead to increased water usage.

The warning applies to the following provinces:

• Friesland
• Groningen 
• Drenthe
• Overijssel
• Gelderland
• Flevoland
• Limburg
• North Holland
• Utrecht

Water company Vitens stated that, while one billion litres of water a day is usually enough to provide everyone with drinking water, the past few days have seen between 1,3 and 1,5 billion litres being used per day.

Companies that are struggling to keep up with demand produce drinking water from groundwater. They have a permit to do so, but cannot pump more water than is specified by the permit, as this would cause irreparable damage to the deep subsoil. Companies that use rivers are yet to experience issues. 

What can you do?

Water companies are asking people to not water gardens, fill swimming pools, or wash cars. They’re also asking people to take shorter showers and only use the washing machine at night. 

Vitens has shared some tips to help you save water: 

1. Only water plants when absolutely necessary, and do this between 10pm and 7am
2. Make sure that the water in a large swimming pool is purified instead of refreshed
3. Take the shortest showers possible
4. Use a rain barrel to collect rain water in the summer
5. Re-use water for children's water games
6. Choose a water-saving showerhead
7. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
8. Replace leaking and dripping taps
9. Choose a water-saving car wash