1. Water management in the Netherlands november 10th, 2010

2. Our area in the Middle Ages Early settlements of farmers Land is surrounded by water Sea, estuaries and lakes create a constant threat to land and inhabitants

3. Throughout the centuries People struggle against the water Many floodings Many people die ‘Pump or drown’

4. 1799 1799

5. 1809

6. 1953: The last big flood disaster in the Netherlands

8. Our area today inhabitants: 1.1 mln buildings: € 125 billion ($ 175 billion) seadikes: 343 km (214 mls) inland dikes: 1486 km (928 mls)

9. Today We improve our dikes

10. Today We reinforce our dunes

11. Today We strengthen our levees

12. Today We build strong dams

13. We build powerful pumping stations Today

14. We create water retaining reservoirs

15. Today We build powerful barriers

16. Just for a bad day...... Foto: Rijkswaterstaat

17. And even today.......................sometimes there is a narrow escape

18. If there were no dikes and levees................two third of the country would regularly be flooded

19. How do we protect our dikes? Separate waterauthorities (waterboards) for the management of water systems and the maintenance of dikes

20. And.......... Separate taxes for water management and maintenance of water works Dimensions of dikes are recorded in a register (‘legger’) Strict laws and ordinances to protect water systems and water works (‘keur’) Permits needed for activities on dikes, such as digging and building

21. Thank you for your attention Questions?