Not all tap water needs to be drinking water and in numerous cases a different quality will suffice.

Scarce commodity
As drinking water is a scarce commodity worldwide, this precious product requires a strategic application. For that reason the Waterleidingmaatschappij Drenthe (WMD) has organised all its non drinking water activities in a holding company with various subsidiaries.

Irrigation water
One of the subsidiaries, GietWater bv, supplies greenhouse farmers with water, purified to their specific requirements. This water contains less chloride and is therefore ideal for greenhouse irrigation. Dedicated supply of irrigation water results in an important saving of drinking water. At the same time the water charges for greenhouse farming are significantly reduced.

Greenhouse farming in Drenthe
In the south-eastern part of Drenthe greenhouse farming is concentrated around the villages Klazienaveen and Erica. The sector expanded rapidly, form approximately 25 hectares to more than 250 hectares at present.