Reports of fish mortality in Hague waters

A large number of fish have died over the past few days in The Hague’s inland waterways, particularly in the Loosduinsekade and Soesdijksekade.

A number of reports of dead fish were also filed this week at the 's-Gravenhaagse Hengelsport Vereniging (GHV). According to the organisation, the fish mortality was caused by large amounts of storm sewage flooding in the water after last week’s storm. When an extreme amount of rain falls, the sewage system can become backed up and waste diluted with rainwater can leak into the water.

This is a setback for The Hague because over the last few years the city has enjoyed pristine water quality in its canals and waterways with sufficient underwater vegetation.

Storm sewage

Despite the system which separates the rainfall run-off from home sewage lines, storm sewage still occurs. Because the city’s canals are an open system with a great deal of space, the fish can usually swim away easily but sometimes they become trapped in the mess and are starved of oxygen.