Overview
- An Algemene Rekenkamer review of 2012–2024 data reports stagnation for 9 of 15 priority chemicals and deterioration for 3 in Dutch surface waters.
- Mercury levels have increased at most measurement points, with frequent exceedances flagged as a particular concern.
- Twelve of the 15 substances still breach standards at some of 61 national monitoring sites, and a single exceedance renders a location’s water quality insufficient under EU rules.
- Utrecht measurements found excessive fluoranthene at three sites, plus mercury at two Amsterdam–Rhine Canal points, benzo(a)pyrene at Loenen, and PFOS at Nieuwegein.
- Rijkswaterstaat lacks a comprehensive inventory of permitted and actual discharges and keeps unclear inspection records, which hampers source attribution and enforcement.