News Drought 2018
Will there be a ban on irrigation around the IJsselmeer?
The water board in Friesland (Wetterskip Fryslân) will probably impose a ban on irrigating grassland next week. And a ban for arable farmers is also expected. Other water boards around the IJsselmeer are still discussing a possible irrigation ban.
The demand for water from the various water boards around the IJsselmeer is still in balance, says Wilma Nabring of Wetterskip Fryslân. "However, we expect demand to exceed supply in the near term."
Making decisions
The National Water Distribution Coordination Committee (LCW) will make a final decision on Wednesday 25 July about the water distribution between the water boards; this will concern decisions at national level. It is expected that category 4 of the displacement series comes into effect on that date. This means that the agricultural sector will receive less water, because it is less important than other water uses (such as drinking water).
The parties involved, including LTO Noord, will be informed by Wetterskip Fryslân on Monday 23 July. The other water boards around the IJsselmeer, such as Amstel Gooi and Vecht, have also announced that consultations are underway about a general irrigation ban.
According to a spokesperson for the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board, there have been no irrigation bans with them yet. However, the situation is being closely monitored; for example, the influx of salt water must receive sufficient counterpressure from the rivers.
Historical
It would be special if there were actually a total ban on irrigation at the water boards around the IJsselmeer. That's the last time in the historical year 1976 happened.
Anne-Jan Doorn
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