News Drought
Farmers fined for illegal irrigation
The Brabant water board De Dommel has inspected 6 companies for illegal irrigation. This concerns companies that do not comply with legislation and regulations or that irrigate illegally with surface water. The water board carries out extra checks at agricultural companies.
Water board enforcers The Dommel carry out extra checks on agricultural entrepreneurs and companies during this dry period. During 3 checks in June, 8 companies were checked and 6 violations were found. The water board is drawing up a penalty order against the companies. In the case of farmers, it means that they can be cut in their income support.
Tangle of rules
The abstraction of surface water is prohibited in De Dommel's working area. In addition, there is a permit requirement for the extraction of more than 10m³ of groundwater per hour and there is a ban on hours for irrigating grassland. For example, no grassland may be irrigated in protected areas between 11 a.m. and 00 p.m. Irrigation from wells is allowed with a company water plan, but only if there is limited influence on Natura 17 areas.
The 8 audited companies all use groundwater: 2 on arable land and 5 on grassland and 1 company irrigated a sports field. In 4 cases grassland was irrigated in violation of the hours ban. In 2 cases groundwater was illegally pumped up because no permit was available. In 1 case, groundwater was pumped up without permission from the permit holder. The water board therefore calls on permit holders to watch out for undesired use.
Additional checks
During the inspections, the water board also found companies that irrigated with surface water, while this is not permitted. In the coming period, the water board will continue to monitor extra for violations.
Niels van der Boom
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