Healthy and safe drinking water does not come by itself.

Energy transition? An increasing demand for water? Sustainability? These are themes that are high on the agenda of our country’s water companies. Themes that seem increasingly challenging. It is therefore understandable that last December, the united water companies in the Netherlands (WEVIN) asked our government for better financing opportunities to be prepared for the substantial infrastructure and system investments that are necessary.
 
Last year alone, water company Vitens invested a good 180 million euros in order to be able to guarantee both the extraction and production of drinking water.
According to the water companies, the use of drinking water will increase by about 50% in the coming years. A fact that is mainly due to the increasing drought.
 A bottleneck is caused by an interest rate ceiling that water companies are subject to. This interest rate ceiling makes it more difficult to finance new loans for the expansion and replacement of infrastructure. To get money out of the ‘market’, the water companies think it might be necessary to allow slightly higher charges.
 
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has promised to help find solutions.