The climate is changing. Periods of weather extremes such as prolonged drought are becoming more frequent. This has a major impact on agriculture and nature. With the signing of this letter of intent, the parties involved are taking an important step today towards a future-proof freshwater supply for the Reimerswaal region.
Fresh water for the Reimerswaal region
The supply of fresh water in the Reimerswaal region is of great importance to the agricultural sector. Due to increasing drought as a result of climate change, the availability of fresh water has been under pressure for some time.
Currently, fresh water flows from the Bathse Spuikanaal via the Bathse Spuisluis to the Western Scheldt. That water has already served a function, namely maintaining the freshwater level of the Volkerak-Zoommeer. The parties involved are further investigating how part of this water can be used for agriculture and other tasks in the area.
Province of Zeeland, water board Scheldestromen, ZLTO, municipality of Reimerswaal and the Zeeland Environmental Federation are making the cooperation official today.
Getting started
The feasibility will be further investigated in the coming period. Various studies will be conducted in the fields of hydrology, effects on ecology and water quality, further research into support among future users of the water and opportunities for green-blue infrastructure. These are natural elements such as hedgerows, hedges, ditches and streams with natural banks and ponds.
Based on a recent feasibility study by ZLTO among farmers in Reimerswaal, more than 95% of entrepreneurs in Reimerswaal see opportunities in the freshwater project: it strengthens their future and contributes to robust agriculture.
By mid-2026, we expect to announce more about feasibility and next steps.
