The Netherlands is a delta area at the confluence of four European rivers. The Rhine, the Meuse, the Scheldt and the Eems cut through the country and run into the North Sea. One quarter of our surface lies beneath sea level (hence the name ‘Nether Lands’), at its lowest point even 6.74 metres (in a town called Nieuwerkerk aan de IJssel).
Why we’re called the Netherlands
Some 16 million people live in the Netherlands, which translates into a density of 465 people/km2. And some 11 million of these people, live below sea level. In fact, if it weren’t for our sophisticated system of water defences, a large part of our country would be flooded. This part of the country generates around two-thirds of GDP, so it’s socially and economically vital. The Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in the world.
Part of our culture and history
The need to develop and maintain our levees prompted the Dutch citizens of Delft to create the first ‘water board’ in 1250. It was the first democratic institution in the Netherlands and it still exists today. Elections for the water board are held every four years and its head is the ‘dijkgraaf’, literally ‘dike count’.
Our life with water is also an important part of our culture. Not only are the Dutch fond of water-related activities, such as sailing and ice-skating, we have also found that in times of floods the Dutch band together. Water, in more ways than one, is a connecting force in our way of life.
Water Trailblazer
The water-related challenges are complex and overwhelming, affecting every country individually and the entire planet as a whole. So why, then, should the world be interested in how a small country like the Netherlands deals with water?
The answer is that (most) of these challenges are acutely being felt – and dealt with – in the Netherlands. We are, in a way, the world’s trailblazer when it comes to water. Due to our geographic location, we are one of the first to suffer the consequences of a rising sea level. Due to the small size of our country, we are already dealing with the complexities of aligning social, economic and ecological interests in a densely-packed urban area. And because of our vulnerable environment, we have always had to make solutions that are socially and ecologically sustainable.
Today, our situation is actually very similar to that of many other countries. The difference is that as a result of our historic battle with water, we have achieved a mindset, an institutional setup, and a habit of involving government, business and research partners. Today, we are finding that as other countries pick up the gauntlet, they are turning to the Netherlands for guidance, inspiration and specific expertise that will allow them to solve their own problems.
Going Dutch, water style
In the English language, the phrase ‘going Dutch’ means that guests in a restaurant split the bill according to how much each has eaten (as opposed to the host picking up the tab as is wont in many other countries). Perhaps in the 21st century, this phrase can take on a new (almost opposite!) meaning, based on how countries around the world use the water expertise of the Dutch. An integrated approach, where spatial planning, water quality, land reclamation and safety go hand in hand.
And indeed, over the past few centuries, the Dutch have gained a lot of knowledge and experience in dealing with a broad range of issues. These include: fresh water of lakes and rivers, as well as with brackish and salt water of estuaries, tidal areas, coasts and seas and the production, distribution and treatment of water. More specifically, the Dutch excel at:
- hydraulic engineering: dredging, land reclamation, levees, dams and storm surge barriers, port construction, integrated coastal and river design and construction;
- Integrated water resource management: river basin management such as: flood management, risk management, capacity building, and groundwater quality control in urban, industrial and port areas. Also: urban water management, integrated coastal development, early warning systems and land reclamation, and the maintenance of soft sandy coasts.
- Potable water and industrial water supply: for example building water supply plants, distribution systems, pipes, and pumps.
- Climate change adaptation.
- Building with nature.
- Waste water: sensoring, monitoring and control, recycling of industrial water, re-use of waste water, water separation, water collection, purifications (membranes, activated carbon, desalination etc.)
- Water for food and nature: ground and surface water quality and quantity management, irrigation, drainage, the development of nature reserves and nature conservation: ecological restoration of rivers and coastal zones, wetlands, protecting biodiversity and waterfowl habitats.
- institutional capacity building (administrative, legislative and management) and water boards;
- developing partnerships and water networks;
- institutional development: training and education, knowledge exchange;
establishing an international legal framework and conflict prevention - ‘green’ investments.
