Update 23 april 2025
Dear Betteld guest,
We would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the latest developments regarding the PFAS issue on our site.
As we indicated earlier, we have been searching for a specialised agency that can assist us in drawing up a careful plan of action. We are pleased to announce that we have selected Arcadis, a renowned and highly expert consultancy and engineering firm. Arcadis has extensive experience with complex PFAS cases both in the United Kingdom and abroad and is known for its thorough and solution-oriented approach.
In the coming period, Arcadis will investigate and develop various scenarios with the aim of arriving at the most effective and responsible remediation plan. Given the complexity of the situation, we expect this phase to take several months. Once this plan is ready, it will be submitted to the competent authorities for assessment and further decision-making.
Unfortunately, this means that the sunbathing area and the lake will remain closed for the time being — and until further notice.
We realise that this situation has a significant impact and understand that it raises questions. It remains a complex and challenging process, but we trust that wisdom and patience will guide us in taking the right steps. At the same time, we would like to ask you to continue to keep this matter in your prayers. Will you join us in praying for the authorities involved, for wisdom in decision-making, for the right people to come into our lives and, above all, for a divine breakthrough in this situation?This is the latest update on the PFAS issue for the time being.
We will, of course, inform you immediately as soon as there are any new developments.
Update 10 februari 2025
Dear Betteld guest,
In our latest update on the PFAS situation, we informed you that we have been instructed to draw up an Action Plan to clean up the contamination.
As was to be expected, this will be a lengthy process. It is clear that we will not be able to use the sunbathing area and the lake this summer.
Because the lake is now closed off from the Water Board's waterway, the water can no longer flow through the ditch. The water can therefore only drain away via the groundwater. As a result, the water level has risen to such an extent that we assume that the camping pitches and rental tents along the lake cannot be rented out. These are therefore also blocked.
We are currently in talks with consultancy firms that can assist us in drawing up an action plan. Once this has been selected, we will consult again with the relevant authorities on how to tackle this problem.
The restrictions that result from this are, of course, a great disappointment, but there is no other option. We are looking forward to this season with great anticipation! Knowing that God can make an impact, even if we cannot use the pool.
Update 30 november 2024
Dear Betteld guest,
You may have already read last week's press release from the competent authorities regarding PFAS in our lake.
We have received many messages of sympathy from you, for which we are very grateful!
The most obvious cause is the foam game from our Royal Adventure programme. A very bitter pill to swallow, of course. One that also has the necessary consequences.
The local council, provincial government and water board have instructed us to draw up a plan of action for cleaning up the pollution.
We are, of course, taking this seriously and will be getting to work on it.
We would also like to ask you to include this in your prayers.
Update 23 oktober 2024
Dear Betteld guests,
We would like to update you on the latest developments.
As previously reported, monitoring wells have been installed to investigate the groundwater. We have not yet received any results. We hope to be able to look for solutions as soon as possible.
At present, the entire sunbathing area in front of the Bertuskamp and the Paardenweide has been cordoned off with fences. Unfortunately, this will have to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Update 4 september 2024
Dear Betteld guests,
As you know, investigations are still ongoing.
This week (Wednesday), we will start drilling holes for the installation of monitoring wells. These will be up to 10 metres deep and are intended to investigate the groundwater at different levels.
The monitoring wells will not be installed on the property of owners or seasonal guests. They will all be located along the lake and along the edge of the sports field and car park. Naturally, they will proceed with caution. If you experience any inconvenience, please let us know.
We too have read the various reports about PFAS in other places. We are constantly weighing up where we can be flexible and where we are being asked too much. It is a very complex issue, also for the local authorities. Because little is known about it yet.
Would you please include this situation and, in particular, the possible consequences in your prayers?
Update 26 augustus 2024
Dear Betteld guest,
As you know, the municipality has also had the ground of the sunbathing area tested for PFAS.
Unfortunately, it has been found that the ground in front of the Bertuskamp and Paardenweide chalets contains excessive concentrations of PFAS.
By order of the municipality, we are unfortunately obliged to cordon off this area with fences and red/white tape.
This is, of course, another setback for us in the PFAS process. The competent authorities are currently still mapping the contamination. Tests on the groundwater at various depths (5 and 10 metres) will follow in early September.
Unfortunately, the area remains closed for now. We hope to speak with the relevant authorities soon about how to proceed and what possible solutions there may be.
Update 12 augustus 2024
Dear Betteld guest,
As previously announced, the province of Gelderland has imposed a swimming ban on us.
This ban means that the water may not be entered. Unfortunately, this also means that rowing, stand-up paddleboarding and other activities on or in the water are also prohibited. Fishing is still permitted.
The province has indicated that it will carry out regular checks. The first check has already taken place. We urge you to respect the swimming ban. Violations can have serious consequences, including fines of up to €5,000 per violation.
For alternative swimming options, please visit the website below:
https://achterhoek.nl/zwemmen-in-de-achterhoek
Thank you for your cooperation!
Would you please include this situation and its possible consequences in your prayers?
Update 9 augustus 2024
On Friday 9 August, the province of Gelderland imposed a swimming ban on the swimming lake at De Betteld. This ban was imposed on the basis of the Environment Act.
From now on, swimming in the lake is strictly prohibited.
We urge you all to respect this ban and not to enter the water.
Update 13 juli 2024
Dear Betteld guests,
We would like to inform you about the latest developments regarding PFAS.
As previously indicated, various investigations are ongoing. Soil samples have been taken from part of the sunbathing area (to the right of the Beach Bar). Unfortunately, elevated PFAS levels have also been measured here. We are therefore obliged to close this part of the sunbathing area. Fences will be erected here from Saturday 13 July. This area will remain closed during the summer holidays.
The other parts of the sunbathing area will remain accessible.
If you have any questions, please contact reception. For information about PFAS, the investigation and the consequences, please refer to the RIVM website.
https://www.rivm.nl/pfas
Update 11 juli 2024
Dear Betteld guests
We would like to use this message to inform you about the progress of the PFAS situation in our recreational lake at Betteld Zelhem.
Swimming ban
In our last message, we informed you that the province had imposed a total closure of the lake with a penalty clause. This meant that swimming, fishing and all other water activities were immediately prohibited.
Swimming ban lifted - advice to avoid contact with the water
However, it has become apparent that this ban was premature. There is no legal framework for imposing this ban at present. Therefore, as of today, the ban has been reversed to a negative swimming advisory. Furthermore, both the municipality of Bronckhorst and the Rijn en IJssel Water Board have advised avoiding all contact with the water in the lake as a precaution. De Betteld is following the advice given and therefore also advises against swimming and avoiding contact with the water in the recreational lake. We would like to emphasise that the advice given is precautionary, as little is known to the competent authorities about the short- and long-term effects of PFAS, and it is also unknown at what levels undesirable effects occur. This is why we are erring on the side of caution. If you still wish to come into contact with the water in the recreational lake in any way, you do so entirely at your own risk.
The penalty imposed for violating the swimming ban has also been lifted with immediate effect.
Further investigation
A number of other investigations are currently ongoing. Samples have been taken from the sunbathing area and the bottom of the lake, among other places. The results of these investigations have not yet been received. However, this may lead to new measures being taken. These could include the partial closure of the sunbathing area, for example. Further information will follow as soon as it becomes available.
Information
The most up-to-date information can be found at https://www.betteldzelhem.nl/pfas or in our App.
Pray with us
This matter is taking up a lot of our time and energy. We also see that there is a lot of uncertainty among the authorities involved and that the process is slow. We would like to ask you to include this situation in your prayers.
It is our express wish that this will not detract from our goal: Meeting God and Doing Good.
Finally, we understand that this message may raise new questions. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them at reception.
Kind regards,
The Management of De Betteld.
