It's finally happening: the swimming pool in Hallum is reopening its doors! While families gather for the first dip and childlike excitement fills the air, we're preparing to share something very special. We'll be testing the Hallumervaart water for contaminants and taste. "The first dip" is a celebratory moment. This not only means the renovated pool is open, but it's also the perfect opportunity for us at PureAqua to emphasize our commitment to pure drinking water.
Hallum: The home of PureAqua
Hallum is a historic radial terp village that arose on a salt marsh ridge several centuries before the turn of the era. In the 11th century, the sea dike constructed north of the villages of Ferwerderadeel was connected to the terp. Today, with over 2,800 inhabitants, Hallum is one of the largest villages in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân. The hamlets of Fiifhuzen and Hallumerhoek also fall under Hallum. PureAqua is located here, in this charming village.
In the era of the terps, a large raised bog area extended eastward, capable of storing large amounts of water during floods and heavy rainfall. However, in the later Middle Ages, this peat was dug up for turf, making water storage impossible. At that time, the small Súdle river wasn't yet a continuous river from Leeuwarden to Dokkum, as there was no connection between Burdaard and Bartlehiem (probably the highest part of the peat).
PureAqua is proud to have its roots in Hallum, a village with a rich history and a deep-rooted connection to water management. Our company is committed to providing pure drinking water, inspired by the historical water management practices of this region.
Friesland and water
Friesland is the province of choice for water sports! Streams, canals, lakes, ditches, moats... the list is endless, because in Friesland, we have more words for water than for bread. That makes sense, since we've had to manage water for centuries. We keep the sea at bay, navigate the waterways, leap over ditches on fierljeppen (pole jumps), and are constantly finding new ways to stay dry. Water has been both our ally and our enemy for as long as we can remember.
The Quality of Frisian Waters
Water quality in Friesland has been in the news a lot lately, especially due to the high concentrations of PFAS measured in the Jelsumer Feart and Lytse Feart rivers ( GGD Fryslân, 2024 ). According to the GGD, the amount of PFAS you ingest through tap water is small, but is that acceptable? PFOA, PFOS, and GenX are some types of PFAS that are detrimental to health. Whether you become ill from PFAS depends on how much you ingest over time. Known health effects of PFAS include: adverse effects on liver function and the immune system, increased cholesterol levels, and harm to reproduction and unborn child development (lower birth weight). Two types of cancer (kidney and testicular cancer) are associated with long-term exposure to high concentrations of PFAS ( GGD Fryslân, 2024 ).
Much of the water in Friesland's natural environment doesn't meet European water quality standards. Our water contains too many pesticides, fertilizers, and other harmful substances. In spring, water drains away too quickly, causing water shortages during droughts. This is bad for plants and animals, as water is the foundation of our natural environment. Rare plants are disappearing, and meadow birds can no longer find soil animals in the dry soil, according to Natuurmonumenten ( Natuurmonumenten, 2024 ). Want to take action? Sign now. this petition .
Fortunately, Wetterskip Fryslân regularly monitors the water quality in our area. They measure, among other things, the presence of pesticides, chloride, nutrients (fertilizers), water temperature, swimming water quality, and ecological water quality. The results of these surface water measurements can be found at this page .
Is the water from the Hallumervaart drinkable?
PureAqua tested the water quality of the Hallumervaart canal using a TDS meter to measure the amount of dissolved solids in the water. While this measurement doesn't indicate precisely which contaminants are present, it does show that the dissolved solids concentration is higher than in better-quality water. We will share these results in this blog soon.
Despite these findings, we are confident that our system will allow us to safely drink this water. Using reverse osmosis filtration, we transform the contaminated water, which could normally cause illness, into pure drinking water. video below See how our colleague Taeke Pieter De Jong converts the water from the Hallumervaart into pure drinking water and enjoy a glass of delicious water.
What about the quality of our swimming water?
In Friesland, we can enjoy swimming at no fewer than 34 officially designated locations. Although the Hallumervaart is not one of them, there are plenty of places to take a refreshing dip. During the swimming season, from May 1st to October 1st, our province takes water samples at these locations every two weeks. We check for the presence of fecal bacteria and blue-green algae, which can cause disease.
Curious about the current swimming water quality? Then look at www.zwemwater.nl and discover where you can swim carefree!
Pure water from your own tap?
While we enjoy our fresh, clear Dutch drinking water, it's important to pause for a moment to consider the invisible elements we don't immediately perceive. Substances like PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, and pesticides form a hidden reality in our water, something we can't ignore. Fortunately, with the right technology, such as Reverse osmosis , along with a conscious approach, ensures that our water not only looks clean, but actually is. Curious about the quality of your water? Request a free TDS meter and find out for yourself!
We often rely on our public water supplies, but unfortunately, harmful elements like PFAS, heavy metals, chlorine, and pharmaceutical residues can still end up in our water. A home water filtration system, like The Source , can effectively remove these unwanted substances. Make sure the water you drink is truly clean.
An invitation for a pure glass of water
We warmly invite everyone in Hallum to visit PureAqua and experience our passion for water quality. Taste a glass of deliciously pure water or enjoy a cup of tea made with the purest water, and discover for yourself how good pure water can taste. In addition to our reverse osmosis systems, we offer complete water treatment solutions, such as descaling machines and other systems. Have questions about water? Come visit us, we're happy to help!
