The plastic problem of the Biesbosch and what it means for our drinking water

One of the most unique nature reserves in the Netherlands is severely polluted with waste.

The Biesbosch has seen an increase in visitors during the years of the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has also led to a substantial increase in waste. According to a study by Rijkswaterstaat in 2020, more than 94 percent of all this waste is plastic. This is a problem, because the microplastics that are generated from these plastics are already found in the surface water, which is used to make our drinking water.

Stefan Kools, researcher of water quality at the KWR Water Research Institute explains the possible health effects of microplastics in our drinking water in an article from Pointer KRO-NCRV*.

*The article is in Dutch