Water around Lelystad airport heavily polluted by PFOS

The Zuiderzeeland Water Board has found concentrations of PFOS 538 times above the standard in a ditch alongside Lelystad airport. The GGD Flevoland, therefore, advises against using the water from this ditch, the Meerkoetentocht. Farmers in the area have been informed about this. They use the water from the Meerkoetentocht to irrigate their crops during dry periods.

The water board took a sample at two locations in the long, wide ditch that runs parallel to the airport. At both locations, a concentration was measured far above the surface standard of 0.65 nanograms per liter. At one location, this was even 350 nanograms. "This exceedance in the Meerkoetentocht is 538 times above the standard. This is a reason to initiate a follow-up investigation," according to Zuiderzeeland immediately.

High concentrations of PFOS have previously been found near other airports (including Rotterdam, Leeuwarden, and Enschede). This chemical substance, which falls under the collective name PFAS, is harmful to humans and the environment above certain values. PFOS used to be used in fire-fighting foam, often used by the fire brigade at airports.

The Zuiderzeeland Water Board does not want to speculate on whether the fire-fighting foam is also at the source at Lelystad airport. According to a spokeswoman, "On-site research should reveal that." The board is also carrying out additional measurements in surrounding waters.

According to the water board, swimming and fishing are prohibited in the Meerkoetentocht. Zuiderzeeland does not consider it necessary to take measures for the time being, apart from advising farmers not to use the water for irrigation. According to the water board, closing off the polluted ditch could lead to other, more significant problems. "This ditch serves as a water drain for a large agricultural area, and if it is closed off, the ditch could overflow." That would again lead to damage to surrounding plots.

In addition to the specific research at the airport, Waterschap Zuiderzeeland also measured the amount of PFAS in the water at official swimming locations in Flevoland. All locations met the standards set by the RIVM.