Annual Report 2021 – The Rhine

In chapter 1 of this annual report the measured concentrations of parameters at Lobith, Nieuwegein, Nieuwersluis and Andijk are reported and compared with the target values of the European River Memorandum (ERM). We also give an update on the development of the required level of purification (WFD art. 7.3) of the Rhine water at Lobith since the introduction of the WFD in 2000.

The Conference of Rhine Ministers of 13 February 2020 set the target to reduce the emissions of micro-pollutants from urban wastewater, agriculture and industry by at least 30% by 2040 compared to 2016-2018. Chapter 2 assesses the realisation of the 30% reduction target based on the load of substances at Lobith. It gives a first impression of which substances seem to achieve the reduction target and for which substances additional effort should be made.

On 27 July 2021 a tragic accident occurred at a CURRENTA waste disposal centre in Leverkusen-Bürrig. The fire that followed released a large quantity of extinguishing water which could not be completely collected and processed. Chapter 3 deals with the consequences of this accident for the drinking water supply in the Dutch part of the Rhine catchment.

This year we pay extra attention to new substances in our RIWA-Rijn measuring programme at Lobith, the Substances from Multiple Sources, and to a new stricter standard for bromate in surface water recently established by the RIVM. Furthermore, we are looking again at the need to reduce emissions from X-ray contrast media and the potential for action by healthcare professionals in the clinic.

Our annual report is available in Dutch and in German.