WaterCAP Cluster on water management in a changing climate North Sea Region Rolf Johnsen, Project manager Rolf.johnsen@ru.rm.dk

North Sea Region

Summary of presentation Why cluster? Project facts Challenges with water Example

Why cluster? By clustering we can reach a broader audience Exchange of experience and knowledge with similar projects Show results to decision makers, on national and EU level Point directions of future Interreg programmes

WaterCAP project facts Funding: Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme (50 %) Partners Thirteen different organizations Five countries: NL (3), G (4), UK (1), B (1) and DK (4) Five projects within the Interreg IVB representing ~70 partners Duration October 2011 - March 2013 Area of interest Adaptation, Water and Climate change

Recommendations Relevant to policy makers on: Water quantity/quality Impact analysis Adaptation strategy

SAWA project Strategic Alliance for Integrated Water Management Actions Adaptation plans - how to approach the implementation of the EC Flood Directive

AQUARIUS project Farmers as water manager Adaptation to future climate Efficient agricultural production under changed conditions. Droughts, Wet periods Erosion

Cradle to Cradle islands (C2Ci) Main goal: To develop innovative solutions in the field of energy, water and materials, using Cradle to Cradle® principles as a guide. Sustainable supply of drinking water by desalinisation of sea water Sanitation and separation of household water in several streams Purification and re-use of the effluent of waste water treatment plant

CPA Multi disciplanary approach to climate proof ten threatend areas Hands on cross sectoral and cross scale cooperation Communication dealing with politicians and professionals

CLIWAT Adaptation to climate change - With a special focus on groundwater Groundwater models in different environments Stakeholder involvement on different levels

Project analysis Common issues all projects Common issues >50 % Impact Analysis Adaptation strategy Water quantity aspects – Flood risk Policy Regulations + guidelines Agri-culture Urban water Water quality CPA x Aquarius X CLIWAT SAWA C2CI (Water) (DiPol)

Challenges with water 10-40% Precipitation ½-1m Sea level change 5-15 % Increase in runoff 0-2 m Groundwater head

Hydrological cycle is linked Precipitation Sea level Groundwater Surface water Abstraction Sewage water

An example from a polder area Pilot area A: Belgische Middenkust, (B) Pilot area B: Zeeland (B + NL) Pilot area C: Terschelling and Northern Fryslan (NL) Pilot area D: Borkum (D) Pilot area E: Schleswig and Sdr. Jylland (D + DK) Pilot area F: Egebjerg (DK) Pilot area G: Aarhus river (DK)

Zeebrugge Nieuwpoort

Management of polder areas

New situation

Management of polders Optimize drainage for drought, salinisation and flooding Maintaining the fresh water lens in seepage areas Monitoring the groundwater resources Further investigations on climate effects on groundwater resources

Groundwater implication for Water Framework Directive and Ground Water Directive ”Good status” of groundwater bodies in the polder areas Quantity Quality Impact on ecosystems Change in quantity Change in salinity Recommendations: Mapping the saline – fresh water boundary is important as a starting point There is a need for monitoring the saline fresh water boundary Local modeling for scenario building

Activities in the WaterCAP project

Cross sector solutions Use interdisciplinary thinking! Think across academic boundaries! Talk to someone you haven’t talked to before!