Insight into water withdrawals from Limburg farmers with new module | Stal-en-Akker.nl

Until now, farmers have to report every year how much water they have extracted for use in open crops via their groundwater wells. Every year they receive a declaration form by post for the extraction of groundwater. It is also possible to submit a digital declaration via the website. So far, no extracted quantities have been reported for the extraction of surface water, because this is not included as a requirement in the Water Board Regulation.

Irrigation module

To determine how much water is extracted from where and for what purpose, the Limburg water board has designed an irrigation module. Here, farmers can provide information about extraction via a digital system, and this is immediately processed digitally. “This also saves a lot of work at the back,” the water board notes.

Current and location specific

With the new digital module, the water board receives an up-to-date, location-specific and real-time picture of water use. “This information will be used to make the hydrological models calculate better and more realistically,” the water board said. ‘This can improve future policy and lead to better measures for preserving and strengthening nature.’

5,000 euros savings

According to the water board, the module also has advantages for farmers. ‘It is possible that with the use of the irrigation module, a flow measurement per well will not be necessary and thus an investment per well of approximately 5,000 euros can be saved. Moreover, if farmers report everything via the digital module, they no longer have to complete an annual declaration.’

Opinion sought

Farmers can use the new system from May 1. They will soon be asked for an opinion after completing the form on the website. The water board: ‘We collect this feedback and an evaluation will be carried out in the autumn. We also optimize the digital system with the comments.’

After the evaluation, the water board decides whether the module will actually be introduced. The intention is to officially introduce the new method on January 1.