EU and Dutch leaders inspect PFAS cleanup at Soesterberg airbase ahead of new restrictions
EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Dutch officials visited Soesterberg to assess PFAS contamination and remediation efforts. The toxic substances, linked to health risks, require urgent cleanup to enable safe residential development. New EU restrictions could ban PFAS use entirely.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Former Soesterberg Airbase, Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Contamination Sites | Former fire station training area, old fuel depot |
| Visiting Officials | EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, State Secretary Annet Bertram, Deputy Has Bakker |
| Remediation Goal | Prevent further contamination, enable residential construction |
| EU PFAS Restrictions | New assessment by ECHA on April 2, 2026 |
| Health Risks | PFAS substances linked to long-term health concerns |
| Cost of Remediation | Millions of euros spent on cleanup efforts |
The Province of Utrecht oversees environmental policies, including soil remediation and contamination control, working with national and EU authorities to address hazardous substances like PFAS. The Dutch government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, collaborates on large-scale cleanup projects to protect public health and enable safe land use.
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external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Working visit by EU Commissioner to Soesterberg airbase to discuss PFAS approach
How can the use of PFAS substances be reduced, and what is needed to clean up contaminated soil? These are urgent questions for the Province of Utrecht, the Dutch government, and the European Union. Against this backdrop, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall and State Secretary Annet Bertram (Infrastructure and Water Management) paid a working visit to the former airbase in Soesterberg on Thursday, March 26. They were given a tour by Deputy Has Bakker to see and hear how preparations are being made at this location for a PFAS remediation plan.
The reason for the visit is a new assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of the European PFAS restriction proposal on April 2. EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall’s working visit highlights that PFAS is high on the European agenda. Several countries, including the Netherlands, are supporting European initiatives aimed at reducing products containing PFAS substances. Together with State Secretary Annet Bertram and Deputy Has Bakker, she walked around the site and was briefed on possible solutions regarding the approach and remediation of PFAS.
Remediation at the airbase
At the former Soesterberg Airbase, the soil and groundwater are severely contaminated with PFAS in two locations. The pollution is found at a former fire station training area and an old fuel depot. The soil is being remediated to prevent further contamination and to enable residential construction at the site where fire drills previously took place. After remediation, the area will be safe for habitation.
In the Netherlands, there is limited experience with soil remediation projects of this scale and with these specific PFAS substances. The Province of Utrecht has therefore agreed with the Dutch government and the Ministry of Defence that the soil remediation at the former airbase will provide an opportunity to develop new knowledge. During the working visit, the administrators were briefed by soil specialists on possible solutions for the contamination at the airbase.
Curbing PFAS use
Increasing research shows that these substances pose health risks. At the same time, PFAS continues to enter the environment, and it is not always clear to companies and users whether a product contains PFAS.
For this reason, the Province of Utrecht is advocating for a PFAS approach through the Association of Provinces (IPO). The province also supports the lobbying efforts of Vewin and the Union of Water Boards for a total ban on PFAS. Deputy Has Bakker: “Millions of euros are being spent on PFAS remediation. As long as we do nothing about the source, it’s like mopping the floor while the tap is still running.”
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