Alternative freshwater sources within the saline coastal areas

Dow Terneuzen uses about 60,000 m³ of freshwater per day. As much as 75% of this is already obtained through the use and reuse of local water streams (see project Biox; waste water purification and reuse). Our goal is to no longer need the primary source for drinking water by 2025 by using local water streams only. To this end, Dow is collaborating in several research projects.

The purpose of the Interreg2Zeeën-program is to support and develop the 2 Seas region, where natural resources are protected. In this case, the FRESH4Cs-project focuses on the resource of freshwater.

Seasonal issues

In recent years, long droughts in summer are becoming more common. Despite the fact that we have a good water system, it could happen that we have water shortages in the future. These problems are cropping up more frequently not only at Dow, but also at surrounding farmers and other large water users. This while excess water that falls in winter drains into the sea. Summers are expected to become drier and winters wetter, so finding a solution for this will become even more important in the future. To find that solution, we have joined forces with farmers from the border areas. 

Fresh water supply in these areas can be considered a seasonal issue. The main objective of the FRESH4Cs project is to develop a sustainable year-round freshwater supply. This should provide solutions for the various water users in coastal lowlands and provide an alternative to using overburdened deeper aquifers or long-distance water supply by pipelines.

This is how Fresh4Cs works

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Listen to the Podcast with Anton van Beek

Listen to the Podcast via the link below, in which Maikel Harte talks to Anton van Beek about the sustainable ambition of Dow Terneuzen.