Bethunepolder

The Bethunepolder, more than 3 meters below sea level. This area of 535 hectares was once a peat bog, until the drying in 1880 with the help of investments by the Belgian count de Béthune. However, due to the enormous amount of seepage water, the soil – despite the dense grid pattern of drainage ditches and a pumping station – did not become dry enough for agriculture and horticulture. This is where the most drinking water in the world comes from: 1000 liters of water per second. This water is supplied underground from the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Water also flows from the surrounding, higher polders to this lowest point in the region. No less than 1/3 of Amsterdam's drinking water comes from the Bethunepolder. The lowest, northeastern part of the polder remains too wet for arable farming despite the pumping of drinking water. Here you can see alder groves and extensive reed beds that are mowed for, among other things, thatched roofs. By raising the groundwater level, the agricultural area is currently being transformed into a nature reserve.

routeburo