This RIWA-Rijn annual report describes the water quality of the Dutch part of the Rhine river basin in 2022 at the border crossing at Lobith and at the abstraction points at Nieuwegein, Nieuwersluis and Andijk. We compare the measured values with the target values set out in the European River Memorandum (ERM) and give specific attention to substances that exceed these target values. In addition, we report on the development of the required level of treatment for drinking water production (WFD Article 7.3) at these locations by means of the treatment challenge index. We also assess, at Lobith, the emission reductions set as objectives by the Rhine Ministers’ Conference in 2020 in the ICBR Action Programme 2040.
This year, we focus on the growing demand for drinking water in the Netherlands as a result of population growth and economic development. The Dutch government plans to facilitate the construction of 900,000 new homes, all of which will need to be supplied with safe drinking water in a timely manner. The members of RIWA-Rijn are therefore exploring new sources of drinking water to meet the increasing water demand, many of which are located within the Rhine river basin. As a result, a clean Rhine will become even more important for the Dutch drinking water supply in the future than it already is.
In this annual report, we pay particular attention to developments in lithium concentrations in relation to plans for lithium extraction and processing in the Rhine river basin. We also provide an overview of our activities concerning contrast agents and the initiatives being taken in Dutch hospitals. Furthermore, we describe the legal effect of Article 7.3 of the Water Framework Directive on the basis of a recent advisory opinion to the European Court of Justice. Finally, we reflect on the most recent UN Water Conference in New York.