Decision making on subsurface freshwater storage

Subsurface storage is an innovative solution that is increasingly being applied in The Netherlands for managing freshwater resources. For innovations to be scaled up often policies have to be adjusted. This also applies for subsurface storage techniques. Current policies are not designed for assessing requests for implementation of groundwater storage interventions. Acacia Water coordinates a series of pilots that allows for determining which licenses and permits should be required for installing subsurface interventions.

The very starting point of the project is establishing which administrative unit is competent over decision making on subsurface freshwater storage. The next step is designing a concept procedure for assessing licence requests for the implementation of subsurface storage techniques. Thanks to the pilots, the application procedure can be evaluated immediately.

In the end, recommendations will be provided concerning the provision of permits and licenses for subsurface storage. The project supports the implementation of innovative techniques to tackle freshwater shortages.