Merel writes*
The Meuse River, after which Maastricht is named, has important values for both humans and nature. Around 7 million people rely on drinking water from the Meuse River. However, the river is facing growing threats from water scarcity and pollution. Although the Netherlands is famous for their water management, these growing pressures are highlighting the urgent need for more action.
The Meuse flows from France through Belgium and the Netherlands and is an important source of drinking water, agriculture, industry, shipping, and ecosystems. In regions along the Meuse, including Maastricht, the river also has recreational and cultural values, and each year, it supplies around 500 billion litres of drinking water to Belgium and the Netherlands (NRC, 2024). However, pollution and climate change impacts are straining the river’s capacity to provide enough clean water.
The quality of water in the Meuse is under increased pressure because of pollution from agriculture, industry, and sewage systems. Harmful substances like pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical residues, heavy metals, and PFAS are damaging water quality. Industry discharges their wastewater through sewage or directly into the river water. They need a permit for this, but many permits are outdated and often fail to account for new pollutants. These outdated permits, lacking transparency, allow industries to release harmful substances without proper oversight. RIWA-Maas, an association of Dutch drinking water companies, warns that these inadequate regulations endanger water quality, affecting both ecosystems and public health (NRC, 2024).
PFAS are a particular concern due to their long persistence and harmful health impacts, at even very low concentrations (RIWA-Meuse, 2024).
Additionally, longer and more frequent droughts also affect water quality in the Meuse, which is mostly fed by precipitation (RIWA-Meuse, 2024). Chemical discharges that are assumed to be sufficiently diluted with normal river levels are not when levels drop and concentrations persist. Drinking water companies such as WML in Limburg face higher purification costs or the need to rely on scarcer groundwater sources (WML, 2024).
Water knows no borders, and pollution in one area impacts regions downstream. Therefore, international cooperation is important. The International Meuse Commission, established in 2002, brings together France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to improve water quality and manage flood risks in the Meuse. Through joint pollution standards, they aim to limit agricultural and industrial waste entering the river.
In the Netherlands, lots of different governmental organizations work together manage the water systems, such as Rijkswaterstaat, water boards (waterschappen), provinces, municipalities and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, 2024).
In Europe, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has set goals for water quality, both chemically and ecologically, with a deadline in 2027 (after postponing twice). It seems it seems very likely that many Dutch water bodies, including the Meuse, will not be able to meet the targets on time. This delay highlights the pressing need for stronger action against pollution and more sustainable water management practices. Meeting the WFD goals is crucial not only for ecosystems but also for ensuring safe drinking water and protecting communities that rely on rivers like the Meuse (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, 2024a).
Both nationally and internationally, we need better enforcement of regulation. Additionally, we need to modernize discharge permits to include  new pollutants and ban PFAS altogether.
Bottom Line: The Meuse River is increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity and pollution. Addressing these challenges requires international cooperation and innovative approaches, and a shift in perspective – moving from fighting against the water to living in harmony together with clean water and nature, free from harmful substances.
* Please help my Water Scarcity students by commenting on unclear analysis, alternative perspectives, better data sources, or maybe just saying something nice 🙂