News » 24.08.2026 - First Dutch growers halt cultivation due to irrigation water shortage
In the Netherlands, freshwater supply from the Hollands Diep waterway appears to be the most viable short-term option for the greenhouse horticulture sector in the Delfland and Westland region, which continues to face worsening drought conditions. The Delfland Water Authority (Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland) and Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands (Glastuinbouw Nederland) announced this following consultations between the two organizations.
New consultations
Neither party has provided a concrete timeline. It is clear, however, that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has now also become involved in discussions between the greenhouse sector and the water authority.
Minister Karremans has indicated he is willing to help explore solutions and wants to arrange administrative talks between the ministry, the Delfland Water Authority, and Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, a spokesperson for Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands said. Those talks are expected to take place once it becomes clear whether, and how much, water is available.
Growers' water supply (almost) exhausted
Minister Karremans was briefed by several growers during a visit to the region. Among them was radish grower Jaco de Zeeuw, who had not sown a new crop due to a shortage of irrigation water (links in Dutch).
The minister also visited the nursery of lisianthus grower Marcel van der Lugt in Honselersdijk, along with State Secretary Silvio Erkens of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. Marcel told them that drought problems are becoming increasingly urgent for growers with soil-based crops in the Delfland Water Authority's area. "We have enough water for ten days at most, and then it will run out," he said.
A recent inventory by Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands found that around 170 greenhouse businesses in the Delfland region, covering a combined 500 hectares, are dealing with irrigation water shortages due to the ongoing drought. Despite the latest talks between the sector and Delfland, it remains uncertain for growers whether sufficient freshwater will become available in time.
Hollands Diep
Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands is pursuing the option of drawing freshwater from the Hollands Diep, a wide tidal river that forms the main downstream section of the Waal and Meuse rivers. The A16 and A29 highways cross it via bridges. The waterway lies between the Biesbosch nature area to the east and the Haringvliet to the west.
Other options for supplying freshwater to the greenhouse sector, including temporary desalination near the Nieuwe Waterweg and additional treatment of purified wastewater, remain under consideration and are being investigated further. Following talks between Delfland and Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, it was decided that three possible additional water supply options would be examined.
Permit-related barriers
According to Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, Minister Karremans pledged during his visit to help address permitting obstacles that currently stand in the way of installing a desalination plant near the Nieuwe Waterweg and using purified wastewater (effluent).
Growers who met with the minister stressed that effluent discharged into the local water system from the Nieuwe Waterweg wastewater treatment plant is a promising option. Water meters would allow greenhouse businesses to precisely track how much water they draw from the system, providing clarity on the sector's overall water use.
Water board official Nieske Dijkshoorn said: "We take growers' concerns seriously and are working with Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands to see what is possible within the existing framework. At the same time, it remains essential that the water system stays safe and healthy."
Jacco Vooijs, chairman of the West- and Oostland region for Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, added: "This is a period of great uncertainty for growers. They need clarity on what is still possible. It's good that these options are being reviewed, with attention to what is feasible and responsible in the short term."
Measures remain in place, mitigating the effects of drought
The freshwater situation in the Southwestern Delta region remains under pressure. The Rhine is carrying significantly less water than usual, allowing more saltwater to intrude from the sea. As a result, the Brielse Meer, Delfland's main freshwater source, may also become saltier.
Current water-use restrictions will therefore remain in effect for all users until conditions allow them to be eased, even temporarily. Within that existing framework, Delfland and Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands are looking for short-term ways to ease the impact of the drought. Safety remains the top priority, the two organizations emphasized in a joint statement.
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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