Terms and definitions

Human activities are releasing more and more pollutants into groundwater. Meanwhile, existing contaminants are reaching increasingly deeper groundwater layers. This 'gradual, latent progression of chemical changes in groundwater at increasing depths' is referred to as ‘groundwater ageing.

A sustainable technique in which heat from surface water, wastewater or drinking water is used to heat buildings, and in some cases also to provide cooling. In summer, heat is recovered from water and stored, then used for heating in winter via heat pumps. This reduces the use of fossil fuels and contributes to the energy transition and climate targets

The average drinking water tariff per cubic metre of drinking water paid by a small consumer, assuming an average household of 2.2 people and a standard annual consumption of 100 m³. The price includes fixed and variable tariffs and excludes tap water tax (BoL) and VAT.

Data collection of employees employed by Vitens and temporary employees on the basis of an agency or secondment contract (hiring) or outsourced work.

Data are recorded in SAP. Every new employee, internal or hired, is notified by a (team) manager. Data are entered into SAP and assessed by the People and Organisation department employee. Various data are entered into SAP, such as personal details: gender and date of birth based on a copy of the passport, and employment-contract information, including the type of contract (fixed-term/permanent), details of the external organisation, and other relevant information.

Internal employees, excluding the Executive Board, are covered by the collective labour agreement. The terms of employment for the Executive Board are set by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee (RBC) and follow the remuneration policy.

For hiring temporary staff, hiring framework agreements have been concluded by various departments.

Temporary staff refers to employees on hiring contracts.

Indicates the extent to which an organisation is able to carry out its activities within the limits of its granted permits.

Investments in intangible and tangible fixed assets during the financial year, excluding third-party contributions towards the construction of new connections.

The tension created when multiple functions - such as agriculture, nature, housing, infrastructure, industry, and water management - claim the same geographical space at the same time. This can lead to conflicts, limitations in development opportunities and a need for integrated spatial planning

The total volume of water abstracted from our water catchment areas during the reporting period for the production of drinking water. Vitens records the total volume of water to be treated – the amount of water we abstract from our water abstraction areas for the production of drinking water – using flow measurements. These measurements are taken by sensors fitted to pumps and wells and provide real-time insight into the water flow rate (m³ per hour). The data is automatically processed in our operational systems. To ensure reliability, monthly monitoring and validation take place via the water balance. The water balance can be found in note 28 to the financial statements. Water abstraction in our catchment areas is shown in the water balance sheet as 'total water to be treated'

A water abstraction area in which various physical aspects relating to water:

1. result in one or more water bodies having a status that is less than good and/or experiencing a deterioration in their condition (within the meaning of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council), indicating significant issues regarding the availability, quality or quantity of water (including severe water stress); and/or
2. lead to issues concerning water accessibility, regulatory or compliance risks, or reputational impacts (including shared water use with local communities and the affordability of water) for its facilities and for the facilities of its key suppliers.

Within Vitens, the following water catchment areas have been designated for this purpose:

• Water catchment areas where affected communities (land users) may be eligible for a drought compensation scheme. These areas are designated by an independent party ACSG or are designated by a pre-existing scheme at Vitens. The ACSG is an independent and expert advisory committee to the Provincial Executive (Gedeputeerde Staten) of the provinces, and/or:
• Water catchment areas where the percentage of total water abstraction is high (40-80%) or extremely high (higher than 80%) according to the World Resources Institute (WRI) 'Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas' tool (water catchment areas with water stress).

Vitens meets the water quality in its supply area according to the legal drinking water standards laid down in the Drinking Water Decree. No catchment areas have been identified where there are significant water quality issues.