ANPE A dredger on the Maasvlakte
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 13:08
Special dumps for heavily contaminated dredged material are filling up much faster than expected. This happens because almost all rivers in the Netherlands are heavily polluted with PFAS. Rijkswaterstaat confirmed this reporting in Trouw.
Since 2019, stricter rules regarding PFAS have applied. This means that twice as much dredged material must be removed.
At the beginning of this century, Rijkswaterstaat constructed special dumping sites for contaminated dredged material, including in the Hollands Diep, the Ketelmeer and on the Maasvlakte. It could be dumped there for at least fifty years. But according to Trouw, the dredgers think that the dumps will be full in ten to fifteen years. Rijkswaterstaat puts it at twenty years.
Because the construction of new landfills can easily take ten years, Rijkswaterstaat says that employees should start thinking about solutions now in case the depots are full. “Stopping dredging is not an option.”
PFAS from Germany
The landfills are not only filling up faster due to stricter rules regarding PFAS, but there is also a lot of PFAS in the rivers from Germany. That country refuses to stop industrial discharges into the Rhine. In the Netherlands, discharges of PFAS substances are already being phased out and the chemicals are on a list of substances of very high concern.
Research by Trouw shows that 1.7 million cubic meters of dredged material was dumped in the storage sites last year. That amounts to 85,000 truck loads. About 15 percent of this would be very slightly contaminated with PFAS and before 2019 there was no need to dispose of it in landfills.
During dredging, soil is removed from the waterbed. It is necessary to keep rivers navigable and to maintain the depth of navigation channels. It is also done to promote nature restoration, among other things.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a collective name for thousands of non-degradable chemicals in nature. There are approximately 5000 different species. The abbreviation PFAS stands for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. GenX, PFOA and PFOS are the best known.
The substances have been used since the 1950s in, among other things, non-stick coatings of pans. It is also used to make rainwear or packaging and firefighting foam waterproof.
PFAS are generally toxic, bind to tissue and accumulate in the food chain. They affect the immune system. Some species are carcinogenic with long-term exposure.
(in a witty, satirical tone, inspired by Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans)
"The Netherlands: Where the Water’s Fine, but the Pollution’s Worse!"
Ah, the Netherlands, land of windmills, cheese, and… toxic chemicals in their rivers? Who knew? According to a recent report, those picturesque canals and waterways are chock-full of PFAS, or poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, for those who enjoy a good acronym. It’s like a cruel joke – all that water, and not a drop of it is safe to drink. (Or, you know, touch. Or breathe near.)
But wait, it gets better! The special dumping sites set up to contain this toxic waste are filling up faster than a Brexit queue at the Calais ferry terminal. That’s right, folks, those "fill-it-up-and-forget-about-it" landfills are already nearly full. Who needs a timeshare in the Netherlands when you can just dump your hazardous waste there?
Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Jimmy, Rowan, Ricky, and Lee, why should we care about some fancy-schmancy chemical acronym?" Well, let me tell you, my friends. PFAS is no laughing matter. These non-degradable chemicals have been polluting our environment since the 1950s, accumulating in the food chain, and turning the Netherlands’ waterways into a veritable toxic soup. Yum! It’s like a never-ending episode of "Tasty Roadkill" down there.
73% of All Statistic Are Made Up…
But seriously, Rijkswaterstaat – the Netherlands’ national water authority – confirms that nearly all rivers in the country are heavily polluted with PFAS. According to their report, a whopping 1.7 million cubic meters of dredged material were dumped in storage sites last year. That’s equivalent to about 85,000 truck loads. Or, if you will, the entire Dutch trucking industry driving around in circles, dumping toxic waste wherever they go.
Now, Rijkswaterstaat estimates that these landfills will be full in about twenty years. But don’t worry, they’ve got a plan… sort of. "Stopping dredging is not an option," they say. Ah, great, because that’s exactly what I want to hear from my water authority: "Don’t worry, we’ll just keep dumping it in and hope for the best!"
Oh, Those Germans…
Of course, it’s not just the Netherlands’ own fault. Oh no, they have some very special neighbors. Germany, the land of… well, not taking responsibility for their pollution, apparently. Their industrial discharges into the Rhine are the main culprit behind the Netherlands’ PFAS problem. But, I mean, who needs friendship when you can just dump your toxic waste in someone else’s backyard? Cheers, Germany!
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands anytime soon, be sure to pack your water bottle… and your hazmat suit. And if you’re a Dutch person, well… you might want to consider a vacation to Germany. At least their water’s probably safer… to look at, at least.
(Please note that this article has been formatted for maximum readability and contains a healthy dose of sarcasm. Not suitable for those easily offended or allergic to dark humor.)
Here is the rewritten article:
Dredging Crisis: Special Dumps Filling Up Faster Than Expected
The Netherlands is facing a dredging crisis as special dumps for heavily contaminated dredged material are filling up much faster than anticipated. This alarming development is attributed to the fact that almost all rivers in the Netherlands are heavily polluted with PFAS, a group of toxic chemicals that have been linked to various health problems.
Stricter Rules and Increased Dredging
Since 2019, stricter rules regarding PFAS have been implemented, resulting in twice as much dredged material needing to be removed. This increased demand has put a strain on the existing dumping sites, which were originally designed to last for at least 50 years. However, experts now predict that these sites will be full in as little as 10 to 15 years, with Rijkswaterstaat estimating a slightly longer timeframe of 20 years.
Construction of New Landfills: A Daunting Task
The construction of new landfills is a complex and time-consuming process that can take up to 10 years. Given the urgency of the situation, Rijkswaterstaat is urging employees to start thinking about solutions now to avoid a potential crisis. "Stopping dredging is not an option," emphasizes the agency, highlighting the importance of finding alternative solutions.
PFAS from Germany: A Contributing Factor
The rapid filling up of dumping sites is not only due to stricter rules regarding PFAS but also the large amounts of PFAS entering the Netherlands’ rivers from Germany. Despite the Netherlands’ efforts to phase out PFAS discharges, Germany continues to refuse to stop industrial discharges into the Rhine, contributing to the problem.
The Scale of the Problem
Research by Trouw reveals that a staggering 1.7 million cubic meters of dredged material was dumped in storage sites last year, equivalent to 85,000 truck loads. Approximately 15% of this material was very slightly contaminated with PFAS, which would not have required special disposal before 2019.
Dredging: A Necessary Process
Dredging is a necessary process to maintain the depth of navigation channels and keep rivers navigable. It also plays a crucial role in promoting nature restoration. However, the increasing amounts of PFAS in the waterbed are making it a challenging and costly process.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a collective name for thousands of non-degradable chemicals in nature, with approximately 5,000 different species. The abbreviation PFAS stands for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, with GenX, PFOA, and PFOS being the most well-known. These substances have been used since the 1950s in various products, including non-stick coatings, rainwear, packaging, and firefighting foam.
The Risks of PFAS
PFAS are generally toxic, bind to tissue, and accumulate in the food chain, affecting the immune system. Some species are carcinogenic with long-term exposure, making them a significant health concern.
