Boxtel and neighboring municipalities challenge zinc smelter's pollution permit for Dommel River
Residents and farmers along the Dommel River face ongoing water quality concerns as Boxtel and ten other municipalities prepare legal action against a Belgian permit allowing zinc smelter Nyrstar to discharge pollutants. Clean water is vital for agriculture and nature, but the fight continues.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Issue | Water pollution in the Dommel River due to discharges from Nyrstar |
| Source of Pollution | Zinc smelter Nyrstar in Pelt (Flanders, Belgium) |
| Municipalities Involved | Boxtel + 10 other Dutch municipalities bordering the Dommel |
| Permit Issuer | Belgian province of Limburg |
| Appeal Outcome | Flemish ministry dismissed appeals; permit granted |
| Next Steps | Further legal action planned by municipalities and water board |
| Impacted Sectors | Agriculture (irrigation, flooding), natural areas |
The municipality of Boxtel, alongside other local governments and water boards, plays a key role in advocating for environmental standards and public health by challenging cross-border pollution. Their efforts highlight the complexities of international water management and the enforcement of environmental regulations.
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external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Boxtel continues to strive for clean Dommel waters
In recent years, there has been repeated attention for the water quality of the Dommel and the impact of the discharges from the zinc smelter Nyrstar in Pelt (Flanders). Last October, the municipality of Boxtel, together with ten other municipalities bordering the Dommel, appealed against the discharge permit granted by the Belgian province of Limburg to the zinc smelter Nyrstar Pelt. On March 2 of this year, the Flemish ministry decided to largely dismiss these appeals and still grant the permit.
We regret this decision
As a municipality, we regret this decision. We are therefore preparing, together with the other municipalities and the water board, further legal steps. We remain committed to clean Dommel water. Clean Dommel water is not only important for natural areas, it also plays a major role for the agricultural sector. For example, as irrigation water for agricultural land and in situations where farmland can be flooded by the Dommel during high water levels.