Drinking water company Vitens has confirmed reports that it has turned down supply requests from five food production companies because of the looming water shortage, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday.

The Financieele Dagblad reported earlier about the refusals, saying the problem is particularly acute in Overijssel and Gelderland.

‘It has happened before but never on this scale,’ a spokesman said. ‘And the year is not over yet.’

Concern has been mounting about water shortages in the Netherlands, prompted by increased domestic consumption and more demand from industry. At the same time, a string of dry years has reduced the basic supply.

Vitens, which is responsible for providing water to around one third of the population, has warned several times about the shortage of drinking water, particularly in the east of the country.

Water firms are required by law to provide drinking water for domestic use but not for industry including food manufacturers.