Status of Review

A steering committee meeting was held in mid-February to determine the results of the tests of the ground bodies. The results of the testing of the Non-Waterproof Objects (NWOs) and engineering structures had already been determined last December. In recent months IV Infra, Arcadis and RPS have worked hard on the remaining tests. HHNK then tried to process all the data into the database. This proved to be a challenging job. Nonetheless, we managed to get almost everything in order. The database as it now stands is therefore sufficient to take the next step: the preparation of the safety report. 

So is the database now completely 100% ready? No, it is not yet. Currently, the database is about 98% complete. There are still a few things that need to be checked and resolved. The final picture of the review will not change significantly as a result. This also means that the steering committee has said it has sufficient confidence in the outcome of the review and that we can proceed with the safety reporting. In the coming period (weeks) that last 2% of the database will also be solved so that when we move towards the 80% version of the report we will have the total overview. 

With this decision we are taking another step forward in the testing of the regional flood defenses. We have now reached the final part of the review: the reporting. In principle, everything is in place for this. At the end of 2023, the schedule for reporting was drawn up and established. So everyone knows what and when something is expected. 

This is the reason why I have indicated that I want to finish my work as project leader for the review and hand it over to Thijs and Jan Willem as points of contact. For me this brings an end to a very enjoyable and instructive period of two years. I am extremely proud of the way in which we have shaped the task together. When I think back to where we were two years ago and what we all did during that period, I can only end on a positive note. Of course this was not all without a struggle. There are many beautiful and valuable learning moments for me in this project. Content-wise but also on a personal level. I will take these with me to my next assignment.

Stefan van den Helder