Social construction of sustainability in water companies in the Dutch coastal zone

This article addresses the question, "How is the concept of sustainable development translated into the business practices of the Dutch drinking water sector?" Two companies along the Dutch coast developed their own versions of sustainability, based upon their particular context and influential stakeholders. Operating in the coastal zone means that they have to deal with vulnerable freshwater systems and this leads to more use of surface water instead of groundwater. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.