WATER QUALITY
WATER QUALITY CAMPAIGN
Surfrider NL works to protect the health of surfers, swimmers, and other water enthusiasts.
We do this by testing the water quality along the Dutch coast and gathering concerns from the community. This helps us identify risks, increase transparency, and work toward a safer and cleaner ocean for everyone.
What we do?
we measure the presence of E. coli (the 'poop bacteria')
Why is this important?
1. Health risks for recreational users
People engaging in swimming, surfing, or other activities in polluted water can become infected through their mouth, nose, eyes, or open wounds.
2. Impact on the ecosysteem
Marine life can be affected by an imbalance in bacterial composition. While E. coli itself usually poses no direct threat to sea creatures, it signals broader pollution from organic waste, which can lead to:
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Oxygen depletion in the water (due to breakdown processes)
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Death of fish and shellfish
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Deterioration of biodiversity
(Sources include: RIVM and zwemwater.nl)
Water sampling
At multiple coastal locations, we measure the presence of E. coli (the 'poop bacteria'), which is an indicator of pollution caused by sewage or stormwater. We use a reagent test kit for this purpose. In the future, we aim to expand our testing capacity, for example, by measuring PFAS or other harmful substances.
Community Surveys
We investigate health complaints among surfers and swimmers, see this form.
Collecting Reports
We listen to reports of possible pollution, including pollution from specific sectors.
Possible health issues include:
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Gastrointestinal complaints (diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting)
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Eye, ear, and skin infections
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Urinary tract infections
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Wound infections
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In severe cases: bloody diarrhea, fever, or even kidney problems (caused by certain E. coli strains such as O157:H7)
Particularly, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications.
*Disclaimer - good to know!
Our water quality assessments are based on Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and Council from 2006. Our water quality indication solely reflects the presence of E. coli at a specific moment in time. When high levels are detected, it strongly suggests contamination by this bacteria. However, other sources of pollution may also be present.
The results are based on reagent test kits, and official analysis is required to confirm water quality. Therefore, the reported results are intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for making health or safety decisions.
Please note that we can only provide data on E. coli levels at the specific time of testing. The results do not reflect the current status of the water.