Extreme rain, dry summers: we need to work together to 'capture' water in a smart way!
To better prepare the Netherlands for extreme weather conditions, the national initiative 'Watervangers' (Water Catchers) is being launched this week. Flooding caused by heavy rainfall and water shortages due to dry summers are becoming increasingly common. With the gardening season approaching, we are joining forces with the other 20 water boards to make residents aware of the possibilities for water collection in their own gardens. Good for the garden and for the neighbourhood.
Using water more wisely is more urgent than ever
The Netherlands is insufficiently prepared for the safety risks posed by extreme rainfall, even though this type of weather is becoming increasingly common due to climate change, including in the northern part of Holland. Although many residents are not yet fully aware of the impact of increasing weather extremes, now is the time to take action—and that is also very good for your own garden. Water board member Klazien Hartog: "Water boards face more challenges because the weather is becoming more extreme. We are increasingly faced with huge downpours where the water does not simply sink into the ground. We are also already seeing longer periods of drought in the spring or summer. This means that we can no longer always prevent damage from occurring; such a huge downpour seeks out the lowest places or remains on the streets. What we can do is ensure that we prepare the environment around us as well as possible to collect the water that falls or reuse it in times of drought. Especially during droughts, every drop you have already collected counts.
Why every garden needs a water collector
Governments and businesses play an important role in water management, but the contribution of residents is indispensable. Ambassador and gardening expert Lodewijk Hoekstra emphasizes the importance of disconnecting and collecting water for every garden. It prevents flooding in your neighbourhood heavy rainfall and provides you with your own water supply during dry periods. What helps is disconnecting a downspout, installing a rain barrel, or constructing a wadi, a green sunken plant border through which water can flow. In this way, we can make the Netherlands more future-proof, so that we can limit nuisance and damage caused by climate change and make gardens greener.
More than 70 percent of Dutch people do not yet have a rainwater collector, while almost half of garden owners are open to the idea. A lack of knowledge appears to be a major barrier. For more information and tips, see the Rainwater Collectors page.
