Delfland Water Board names grower for illegal water discharges

The Delfland Water Board (Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland) has publicly named Mircan B.V., a vegetable grower in the Woudse Droogmakerij region, for repeated illegal discharges into surface water. This decision marks a rare move by the board to disclose the identity of an offender.

Despite multiple inspections, enforcement actions, and increasing fines, the company has failed to stop the illegal discharges that damage water quality. A new penalty has been imposed that could total up to 500,000 euros. The board stated that the decision to name the company was made after a careful assessment of the environmental impact and the offender's behavior, following the National Enforcement Strategy for Environmental Law.

In response, the grower acknowledged that mistakes were made, characterizing them as unintentional, and stated that the issues have since been resolved. Water board chairman Piet-Hein Daverveldt emphasized that those who continue to discharge waste and harm water quality must be held accountable.