Balancing competing water claims in the Dutch South Western Delta Ms Annemarie Moons (drs.) Regional Minister for Economic Affairs, Water Safety & International Affairs Province of Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands March 2009

Content in brief An overview of the Dutch South Western Delta Present and future conflicting needs and claims Examples of solutions

The Dutch South Western Delta

Facts -Approx. 2.5 million people -Home of three estuaries: Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt -Many governmental agencies are involved in the region’s water management: -3 provinces: Noord-Brabant, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland -6 waterboards -3 ministries

Nature

Water provides economic opportunities

Strong agricultural sector due to: Fertile soil due to rich clay content Close to major agricultural industies Reliable and abundant supply of fresh water

Tensions, however, between water claims and uses do exist now and in the future...

Water quality problems Example: Cyanic algae blooms

Climate Change: Safety first!

Fresh water will become scarcer Lower and more irregular flow of the rivers Higher water use Rising sea level and increasing salinisation

Solutions: Safety and ecology Combine nature development and river enlargement Build broader, unbreakable dikes

Solutions: Tackle short term problems in combination with long term strategies

Solutions: co-operate! Co-operate with all the authorities involved: Agency for co-operation between 3 provinces, 3 ministries and 6 waterboards within the South Western Delta Co-operate with stakeholders

Thank you for your attention Wishing you a fruitful discussion!