Groundwater level in peat meadows investigated

In the short term, the water board will conduct research into the groundwater levels in the peat meadow areas. It is one of the components of the strategy to combat subsidence in peat meadows.

The Council for the Living Environment and Infrastructure advised the government early September to lay down by law that the rate at which subsidence in peat meadow areas takes place must be slowed down by approximately 2030% by 50. It even aims for a 2050% reduction in subsidence by 70. This is because the subsidence causes damage to buildings, roads and agricultural land in the region and it is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain the water level.

Research into slowing down subsidence
The water board therefore wants to conduct research together with provinces, municipalities and owners or users of the land into inhibiting subsidence in peat meadows. According to the organization, there is not yet a good picture of the shallow groundwater levels. To map this out, the water board is setting up a so-called 'basic monitoring network', in which monitoring wells are placed in the ground. This system measures how groundwater levels develop over the years. "We will also look at how groundwater levels differ per season," the water board writes in a press release.

The research will take place at 30 locations in the peat meadows and should therefore be representative for the entire peat meadow area. Since the results may also be relevant for agricultural entrepreneurs in this region, the data is shared with them. "As a water board, we provide an amount based on our knowledge and experience to slow down subsidence, but tackling the total task is a shared responsibility. That is why we want to work with all parties," says water board director Arjan van Rijn.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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