Water and soil quality

People want clean water and clean soil. And rightly so. Nevertheless, that's not as straightforward as it seems. Water and soil behave in extremely complex ways. The equilibrium is easily disturbed by climatic conditions, changes in land use and even new types of contaminants. Deltares studies these processes. We use the knowledge we acquire to help managers maintain water and soil quality.

Studying disruptive factors

Water and soil quality are permanently under pressure. For example, medicines are entering our groundwater more and more often; and global warming is probably causing more blue algae in our ponds and lakes. And for a long time now, land has not only been used for building or for growing crops: energy is also stored in the subsurface. Deltares studies the impact of all these "disruptive" pressures.

Years of experience

We survey, predict and advise. Drawing on years of experience and research, we soon identify similarities with earlier situations. We also develop advanced computer models and put them into practice. We conduct measurements in our own laboratories. Our incentive is to contribute to an optimal balance between environmental improvements, costs and public support.  

Integrated vision

Deltares looks at water and soil in conjunction with the local, regional or global context. That's the only way if you really want to identify cause and effect. So for example, we examine the impact of fertilisers on land and the adjoining ditches, but also on the sea where the nutrients finally end up and may cause eutrophication. In addition, we develop monitoring programmes, indicators and assessment frameworks, to test compliance with national and European regulations.

National and international

The debate on water and soil quality is becoming increasingly heated. Deltares provides the scientific facts needed to inform the discussion. Many of our clients are government authorities and semi-government authorities, but we also work for the corporate sector. At international level, we work for organisations like the World Bank and the European Union. We are also partners in a large number of national and international research programmes.