Welcome to Wassenaar Weekly, your English-language roundup of local news, events and community updates. Here is what happened in Wassenaar this week.
PFAS levels in Wassenaar tap water raise concerns
Environmental organisation Greenpeace has given Wassenaar’s tap water a ‘dark red’ rating in its new online PFAS checker. Drinking water company Dunea, however, stresses that the water remains safe to drink and meets the legal quality standard.
The difference largely comes down to the standards being used. Greenpeace compares the measurements with a health-based guideline from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) of 4.4 nanograms per litre, expressed as PFOA equivalents.
Dunea says its drinking water contains an average of 8 to 9 nanograms of PFAS per litre. This is well below the legal limit of 100 nanograms per litre for the combined total of 20 PFAS, although the company acknowledges that levels do not always fall below the stricter RIVM guideline.
Both Dunea and Greenpeace agree that PFAS pollution needs to be reduced at source. Despite the findings, both advise residents to continue drinking tap water.
Fietsmaatjes Wassenaar celebrates fifth anniversary
Fietsmaatjes Wassenaar has celebrated its fifth anniversary with volunteers and participants at the Wijdehorst, where the organisation also unveiled its fifth side-by-side tandem bicycle.
The initiative pairs people who enjoy cycling but can no longer cycle independently with volunteers. They ride together on specially designed bicycles, combining exercise with social contact and the opportunity to get outdoors.
The new bicycle was made possible with support from Dutch health insurer Zorg en Zekerheid. With five bicycles now available, Fietsmaatjes hopes to give even more Wassenaar residents the opportunity to go cycling with a volunteer.
Avalex marks 25 years with open day
Waste collection organisation Avalex celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open day at its site in Delft on Saturday 26 September.
More than 400 visitors from Wassenaar and five other municipalities served by Avalex were given a behind-the-scenes look at waste collection and processing. Visitors could explore refuse collection vehicles, meet employees and learn what happens to household waste after it is collected.
The anniversary also marked 25 years of cooperation between Avalex and its participating municipalities.
Katwijk council backs Eli Lilly factory permit
Katwijk’s municipal council has voted by a large majority to give a positive recommendation on the permit for pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly’s planned factory near Valkenburg. Of the 32 councillors present, 28 voted in favour and four against.
The US pharmaceutical company plans to invest around $3 billion in a factory near Valkenburgse Meer, where diabetes and weight-loss medicines would be produced. The facility is expected to create around 500 direct jobs.
Earlier in the evening, the council rejected a request for an advisory referendum. An independent referendum committee had concluded that the request met the formal requirements, but a referendum could not be held before the legal deadline for deciding on the permit.
Concerns remain about issues including safety, water and energy use, traffic, nature and the impact on Valkenburgse Meer. The council adopted several motions aimed at strengthening monitoring and involving residents.
The municipal executive will now make the final decision on the environmental permit. Separate permits will still be required before production can begin and wastewater can be discharged.
Badminton club invites newcomers to give the sport a try
Badminton Club Wassenaar is inviting residents to try the sport with a ten-session introductory programme starting in the first week of October.
The programme is aimed at beginners as well as people returning to badminton. Participants will receive coaching, learn the basic techniques and rules and can borrow a racket.
The ten sessions cost €25, and participants do not need to become members beforehand. Those who decide to join BC Wassenaar afterwards can qualify for a discount on their membership fee.
SMOW hopes to launch new Lego Club
Stichting Maatschappelijke Ondersteuning Wassenaar (SMOW) hopes to start a Lego Club this autumn and is looking for both participants and volunteers.
The club will be open to people of all ages. Participants will be able to create their own designs, build Lego sets or work together on larger projects.
The day and time will be decided in consultation with participants, and meetings will take place at one of SMOW’s community centres. Participation will in principle be free, apart from a small contribution towards drinks.
SMOW is also looking for adult volunteers to help run the sessions. Whether the club goes ahead will depend on the level of interest.
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See you next week!
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