This RIWA-Rijn annual report provides an overview of the water quality of the Dutch part of the Rhine river basin in 2021. In addition, the report includes a first assessment of progress towards the 30% reduction target at Lobith, describes the impacts of a tragic accident in Leverkusen-Bürrig on the drinking water supply, and pays attention to substances from multiple sources (SMS).
In Chapter 1 of this annual report, the measured concentrations of parameters at Lobith, Nieuwegein, Nieuwersluis and Andijk are reported and compared with the target values of the European River Memorandum (ERM). We also provide an update on the development of the required level of treatment (WFD Article 7.3) for Rhine water at Lobith since the introduction of the Water Framework Directive in 2000.
The Rhine Ministers’ Conference of 13 February 2020 set the objective of reducing emissions of micropollutants from urban wastewater, agriculture and industry by at least 30% by 2040 compared to the period 2016–2018. In Chapter 2, progress towards the 30% reduction target is assessed on the basis of substance loads at Lobith. This provides an initial indication of which substances appear to be on track to meet the reduction target and for which substances additional efforts will be required.
On 27 July 2021, a tragic accident occurred at a waste treatment facility operated by CURRENTA in Leverkusen-Bürrig. The subsequent fire released a large volume of firefighting water that could not be fully contained and treated. In Chapter 3, we discuss the consequences of this accident for the drinking water supply in the Dutch part of the Rhine river basin.
This year, we give special attention to new substances in the RIWA-Rijn monitoring programme at Lobith—substances from multiple sources (SMS)—as well as to a new, stricter standard for bromate in surface water recently established by RIVM. We also revisit the need to reduce emissions of X-ray contrast agents and the scope for action available to healthcare professionals in clinical practice.