In het Netherlands the management of water systems is the responsibility of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, provinces, regional water authorities (waterschappen) and municipalities. A water system consists of surface water bodies, groundwater bodies, storage areas, flood defences and supporting structures.
The management of water systems aims at:
- preventing and, where necessary, limiting floods, flooding and water scarcity;
- in conjunction with protecting and improving the chemical and ecological quality of those water systems, and;
- the fulfillment of the assigned social functions of water systems.
Duties of the water managers
Responsibility for the operational water management of water systems in the Netherlands is vested with Rijkswaterstaat (the executive branch of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) and the regional water authorities. Among other tasks, they are responsible for ensuring a sufficient supply of water and keeping the country protected against flooding. In addition, the regional water authorities and Rijkswaterstaat must ensure a sufficient volume of surface water and groundwater, and keep the water quality up to par for regional waters respectively national waters. Their duties are:
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Rijkswaterstaat (RWS)
Rijkswaterstaat is responsible for the operational management of the major waters, such as the sea and the rivers. RWS ensures that the government authorities responsible are alerted in good time to floods or stormy seas. In addition, RWS maintains dykes, dams, weirs, and storm surge barriers. Furthermore, RWS protects the coast and gives more room to rivers, for example, by deepening floodplains and constructing secondary channels. -
Regional water authorities
Regional water authorities are responsible for regional waters, such as canals and polder waterways. For example, they ensure that the water is clean in order to keep fish stock up to par. The district water boards also protect the country from flooding and ensure that farmers have sufficient water for their crops.
Government authorities involved in water management
The Environment and Planning Act sets out the responsibilities of the various government authorities involved in the management of water systems. These are:
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Central government
The central government, primarily the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, is responsible for national water policy and national measures with regard to water systems. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management is also responsible for the management of national waters. The Minister bears responsibility for the flood protection standards pertaining to the primary flood defence systems, i.e., dykes and dunes that protect the country against water from the sea and the major rivers.
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Provinces
The provinces are responsible for the water policy for the regional waters. The provinces have operational duties with respect to some water management issues, such as the removal of large quantities of groundwater from the soil. The Environmental and Planning Act stipulates that the management of groundwater quality is a task vested with the provinces. -
Regional water authorities
The regional water authorities draw up (operational) management programs regarding the regional waters within their district. In addition, they are also responsible for the regional flood defence systems, that protect the country against, e.g., water from the canals.
Furthermore, the regional water authorities are responsible for the treatment of waste water. -
Municipalities
Groundwater in urban areas is the responsibility of the municipalities. In addition, the municipalities are responsible for the collection and conduction of waste water and excess rain water through sewer systems, as dictated by the Environmental and Planning Act.
National Water Program
The National Water Program 2022-2027 sets out the Dutch ambitions of the national water policy for the period 2022-2027: flood risk management, water quality and climate adaptation. The National Water Program also contains the operational management program for the national waters.
The Netherlands involved in international water management
The Netherlands wishes to help other countries across the globe in the prevention of flood disasters. Together with other countries possessing water expertise, the Netherlands wants to supply specialists to help countries that lack such specialist knowledge. The Dutch Water Sector website presents the projects that are being carried out in collaboration with the Netherlands.
