Valkenswaard and Dutch municipalities challenge Belgian zinc smelter's pollution permit in court
Valkenswaard and ten other Dutch municipalities are taking legal action after Belgium approved a permit allowing the Nyrstar Pelt zinc smelter to discharge pollutants into the Dommel River. Residents face risks to local water quality and nature as excessive salts threaten the ecosystem.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Parties Involved | Valkenswaard, 10 Dutch municipalities, Belgian province of Limburg |
| Company | Nyrstar Pelt (zinc smelter) |
| Permit Issuer | Flemish Ministry (Belgium) |
| Appeal Outcome | Dismissed on March 2, 2026 |
| Pollutant Concern | Excessive salts making Dommel water brackish |
| Next Steps | Legal action, collaboration with water board and municipalities |
| Affected Area | Dommel River, vulnerable natural areas in Noord-Brabant |
The municipality of Valkenswaard, alongside other Dutch local governments, plays a key role in safeguarding cross-border environmental standards. Their legal challenge reflects broader efforts to protect shared water resources and natural habitats from industrial pollution originating outside the Netherlands.
Refueling time ☕
Openrijk navigates piles of government news daily. Your coffee helps us stay on course.
Read the full translated article below
Valkenswaard's commitment to clean Dommel water remains
Last October, the municipality, together with ten other municipalities bordering the Dommel, appealed against the discharge permit granted by the Belgian province of Limburg to the Nyrstar Pelt zinc smelter.
On March 2, the Flemish Ministry largely dismissed the appeals and still granted the permit. As a municipality, we regret this decision. We are preparing legal action together with other municipalities and the water board. We remain committed to clean Dommel water and to protecting our vulnerable natural areas.
Rens Pijnenburg, alderman in Valkenswaard and initiator of the joint Dommel municipalities consultation:
“We appreciate the attention being paid in Belgium to water quality, but this decision to lower discharge standards does not go far enough for us. Still, excessive amounts of salts are ending up in the Dommel. This makes the water brackish and puts further pressure on our nature. That is why we are now deliberating with all Dommel municipalities and the water board on the next steps.”