Download PDF (Dutch) - Future Ideas

Summary English
One of the objectives of the Water Framework Directive [WFD] is to achieve 'good ecological
status' in surface water bodies. The relatively high concentrations of phosphorus in surface
water are a limiting factor; despite the planned manure policy, 40-50% of the ditches and
streams will probably not meet the target concentrations in 2027. Therefore, the government
created a "WFD Innovationprogramme" to facilitate research into cost-effective innovations
with which the standard could be achieved.
Two projects from this WFD Innovation programme concern [measures with regard to] surface
runoff. For a long time, the theory was adopted that the route of phosphate to the surface water
was mainly through leaching from the soil. Only recently, research has shown that surface runoff
could explain 10 to 70% of the load in surface water. It is possible that a reduction in phosphorus
emissions can be achieved relatively easy and inexpensive by taking action on this transport
route. A third project explores the extent to which iron-containing materials are suitable for
adsorbing phosphate.
This research project is an exploration of the technological innovation system [TIS] "phosphorus
run-off management" in the Netherlands. It includes both the knowledge of the importance of
this rapid transport route in the phosphorus load, and the possible measures against phosphorus
emissions from surface run-off. The focus of this study is on the use of ferrous material as a
measure for the reduction of phosphorus emissions.
It is known that the diffusion of innovations is often difficult. More reflection on the entire
innovation system is necessary. To obtain a complete picture of the TIS, it is described in various
ways. With the innovation system approach, a snapshot of the innovation system is created,
involving all elements of the TIS; actors, technology, actor networks and institutions are
identified. Several aspects of the network [density and structure] are analyzed using insights
from [social] network theory. To gain more insight into the development phase at this moment
and what developments are currently needed for the innovation to continue to develop, an
approach is used, which focuses on the processes that are important for well performing
innovation systems. The diagnostic tool to describe the dynamics, is that of the seven innovation
system functions.
To examine the TIS, a large number of actors in the innovation system is interviewed:
government, research institutes, suppliers and manufacturers, intermediate infrastructure, and
potential users. The resulting data were combined with observations, literature review and
insights from the above theories. The main findings of the study are shown below.
Most actors consider phosphate as an essential nutrient, not immediately as an
environmental problem. In general, when choosing measures that could reduce the runoff
of phosphate, measures that ensure a “good soil structure” to facilitate infiltration are
preferred, because the aim is also to have the phosphate available for the plant.
Especially the scientists and the ZLTO are active actors in the TIS “phosphorus runoff
management”; drinking water companies and Hego-Biotech, farmers and waterboards are
involved as suppliers of ferrous materials or as sounding board. Consultancy Arcadis
represents the intermediate infrastructure. The government plays a facilitating role by
providing grants for the projects and in “Kennis moet stromen”. Education, agricultural
advice and agribusiness, and nature and environmental organizations are not represented.
The government had the ambition that in the course of 2012 the knowledge of the projects
would have been spread to the end-users. This ambition may be too high. In this TIS the
necessary knowledge has to be divided into three types:
Reductie fosfaatafspoeling door ijzerhoudend materiaal Page 5