Types of calamities

We manage flood defenses and take care of water quantity, water quality and (navigable) roads. In carrying out these tasks, calamities may arise.

A breach of water barriers

We protect the area with dikes and embankments against the water from the North Sea, the Wadden Sea, the IJsselmeer, the Markermeer and from the storage basin waters. The chance of these flood defenses breaching is very small. Nevertheless, if it does go wrong, the damaging consequences can be very great.

Flooding or drought

Heavy rainfall can cause flooding. Extreme flooding, when for example polders are flooded, is a calamity. Conversely, prolonged drought with a water shortage can also lead to a calamity.

Heavy pollution of surface water

Contamination of surface water can have harmful effects on people and the environment. Pollution can result from the failure of a treatment plant or sewage pumping station or a break in a pressure line. The damage can be very extensive and destroy entire ecosystems. In these cases, it is called a calamity.

Blockage of a waterway

We manage several waterways. A collision between two ships or the sinking of a ship can block a waterway.