Vitens and MKB-Nederland join hands to save drinking water

Vitens and MKB-Nederland join hands to save drinking water

Drinking water company Vitens and MKB-Nederland are teaming up to encourage entrepreneurs and their customers to use drinking water sustainably and consciously. Today, Friday, Oct. 27, the cooperation was ratified in animal park Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem. "We are good at advising and thinking along about saving drinking water. SMEs have a very diverse composition which requires a specific approach. That is why this cooperation with the entrepreneurs' organization MKB-Nederland is so important," said Jelle Hannema, chairman of Vitens' Board of Directors.

This article appeared earlier on www.duurzaam-ondernemen.nl.

Connection

Sufficient available drinking water is crucial for the Dutch economy. Because of increasing demand and climate change, among other things, that availability is under pressure. Therefore, conscious and sustainable use of drinking water is necessary. The government wants savings of 20 percent in 2035. Vitens is committed to that goal. As the largest drinking water company in the Netherlands, Vitens has many SME customers. By cooperating with entrepreneurs' organization MKB-Nederland, Vitens hopes to be able to reach those customers better and share knowledge of the possibilities of saving drinking water with entrepreneurs. "The most important thing is to create connection. With this cooperation we can reach the (small) business market quickly. For example, we can advise companies on reusing drinking water and raising awareness to use water sparingly and sustainably," says Hannema. "But we are also keen to see what innovative ideas SMEs themselves come up with."

Impact on saving drinking water

On Friday, October 27, the cooperation agreement was signed at Burgers' Zoo. "Together with Vitens we can inspire and support our members in the field of water saving and sustainable water management," said Leendert-Jan Visser, general director of MKB-Nederland. "We are already in talks with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to arrive at a plan of action in the field of drinking water conservation in the business community. This cooperation with Vitens increases the impact we as SMEs can have on the government's objective."

Several entrepreneurs, such as Burgers' Zoo, are already actively saving water. For other entrepreneurs, collaboration can be the first push. Visser: "There is often a lack of knowledge and action perspective. How to start saving water? Knowledge that Vitens employees possess. That is why I am glad that we are now actively seeking that connection."

To help organizations conserve drinking water, Vitens is developing so-called water conservation toolboxes with behavioral interventions. Because of the differences in drinking water use and opportunities and obstacles to water conservation, Vitens is taking a sectoral approach. Pilots for the education, hospitality and recreation sectors will start in 2024. The cooperation between the two parties will last at least three years.

Photo: Jelle Hannema and Leendert-Jan Visser Toasting to Cooperation Agreement