The Netherlands needs to sharply reduce its drinking water use to prevent shortages, but few concrete measures have been taken so far, the government’s audit office Algemene Rekenkamer said on Wednesday.

A growing population and economy are driving up demand, and climate change is likely to worsen the situation, the auditors said. Shortages are already having an impact, with several dozen companies lacking access to the water supply and drinking water providers reporting capacity constraints.

Targets for reducing domestic water consumption have been set – from 119 litres per person per say in 2023 to 100 litres by 2035. Companies have also been told to cut their consumption by 20%.

However, the auditors say, this is unlikely to be achieved and companies actually used more water last year. Households are using less but it is impossible to say if this is the result of official policy, the audit office said.

“Given the seriousness and urgency of the problem, we consider the outcome of the strategy to be worrying,” the auditors said.

Public health institute RIVM warned in 2023 that the Netherlands needs to cut its consumption because by 2030 households and industry will need an additional 102 billion litres of water.

“Only when people understand the importance and urgency of the issue can they begin to change their behaviour,” the minister said.

The ministry, he said, will also explore solutions used in other countries to manage water shortages.