River cleanliness in the Netherlands
Dutch adults grossly overestimate cleanliness of their rivers.
Recent research shows that Dutch adults could be putting themselves at risk by swimming in unclean waters. The average Dutch adult believes 40% of their rivers meet cleanliness standards set out by the EU. However, Wageningen University & Research found that just 1% of rivers in the Netherlands meet these standards.
Blissfully unaware of the poor water quality, a fifth (20%) of Dutch adults have swum in a river, lake or canal in the Netherlands in the last year doubling to 40% of those aged 18 to 35. Amsterdammers are most likely to report that they have swum in a river, lake or canal in the Netherlands in the last year with a quarter (24%) reporting this.
Research by Wageningen University & Research also found that the Netherlands has the dirtiest water in Europe, but 41% of Dutch adults think the water quality in other EU countries is worse than in the Netherlands. They were most likely to report that Romania and Bulgaria have dirtier water than in their home country (both 16%) with Slovakia, Belgium and Hungary (all 12%) falling close behind.
In reality, the Netherlands ranks lowest in water quality among the 27 member states. For context, Wageningen University & Research found that Finland, boasts a “good” label for 78 percent of its water bodies, that’s compared to just 1% in the Netherlands.
