ABSTRACT
The dunes in the Netherlands have been used for more than a century as a source for drinking water. Initially, only groundwater was abstracted. Then, as the demand for drinking water continued to rise, the capacity was increased by means of artificial recharge with spreading ponds. However, because of the impact this method had on the environment, use is being made today of a new recharge and recovery method that employs deep wells below natural layers of clay.
In the Berkheide dunes, this new method is being used to produce 4 million m3 of drinking water a year. Given the specific local conditions, existing technical ideas have been further elaborated and much thought devoted to the prevention of upconing of salt or brackish groundwater.
