September 2nd, 2025

RIWA-Rijn calls on the EU to develop environmental standards for lithium in surface water

Battery production is growing rapidly. This is also leading to an increase in the extraction, processing and discharge of lithium in Europe, including in the Rhine River basin. This poses a growing risk to water quality and drinking water supplies in the Netherlands.

That is why RIWA-Rijn, on behalf of the Dutch drinking water companies that are dependent on the Rhine has sent a letter to the European Commission. Their appeal: establish a European environmental quality standard for lithium in surface water. Although the RIVM (The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) already set an indicative environmental risk limit of 11 µg/L for freshwater organisms in 2023, there is no environmental quality standard for lithium—unlike for zinc, copper or chromium. The latest annual report from RIWA-Rijn shows that the lithium concentration at Lobith is already around 13 µg/L.

Lithium: expected increase due to industrial developments

By 2028, 200,000 tonnes of lithium salts are expected to be extracted, processed and recycled in the Rhine River basin. The planned recycling plant in Dormagen (from 2026) alone could increase the lithium concentration at Lobith by 8 µg/L.

Water quality under pressure

The RIWA-Rijn annual report for 2024 shows that many substances in the Rhine exceed target values, hinders the use of natural and simple purification methods for drinking water production. The annual report shows that the pollution from urban wastewater, including medicine residues, continues to increase. This is at odds with the 30% reduction target of the 2040 Rhine Action Programme. Director Gerard Stroomberg states that a rapid implementation of a fourth treatment stage at sewage plants is urgently needed.

Prevention is key

RIWA-Rijn remains committed to international cooperation and clear enforcement of standards. After all, what does not enter the Rhine upstream, does not need to be removed downstream. A European environmental quality standard for lithium is therefore essential.