Water company Vitens has refused requests for drinking water made by ‘several companies’ in Overijssel and Gelderland because of the growing shortage of supply, Trouw reported on Monday.

Director Jelle Hannema told the paper that expectations of a constant supply of tap water are now coming under pressure, thanks to climate change, economic growth and plans to construct one million new homes.

The companies are now temporarily without drinking water, Hannema said.

The Netherlands’ 10 drinking water suppliers are required by law to deliver to private households and some sectors, including the health service. But this is not the case for industry in general.

Hannema said Vitens is unable to meet the companies’ requests because of capacity problems and he urged the government to speed up the licencing process for new sources.

Vitens warned in January and in April that fresh water supplies in Overijssel were in trouble because demand was outstripping the company’s access to water sources.