Strengthen
Flood defenses that have been rejected because they no longer meet safety standards must be reinforced in order to continue to provide adequate protection against flooding in the future. For primary defenses, we have the Flood Protection Program (HWBP), and for regional defenses, we have the programme Reservoir Quays programme (VBK).
High Water Protection Program (HWBP)
The northern part of North Holland is surrounded by water. Primary flood defenses protect us from this water. The reinforcement of primary flood defenses such as the Markermeer dikes and the Wadden Sea dike on Texel are part of the Flood Protection Program, a programme the national government and water boards work closely together to protect the Netherlands from flooding.
programme breastwork quays (VBK)
The water in the canals, polders, and lakes is enclosed by regional flood defenses: hundreds of kilometers of dikes, dams, quays, embankments, pumping stations, and locks. To withstand land subsidence and climate change, we are reinforcing the flood control quays. This will keep our feet dry in the future. Various projects are underway as part of the Flood Control Quays programme . You can view the projects per municipality on theWork in the neighbourhoodpage.
Dike reinforcement is custom work
Not all dikes are the same. What's more, dikes are located in different areas. We have to take into account buildings and economic activity, nature, cultural history, and the subsoil of a dike. But also cables, pipes, roads, bicycle paths, and footpaths. Dike reinforcement is therefore always a customized process; we have to puzzle over it to arrive at the best possible and most affordable solution.
We prefer to reinforce a dike with the same material. For example, in an ideal situation, we would reinforce a clay dike with clay. If there is no space to make a dike higher and wider—for example, due to buildings along the dike—we can construct a sheet pile wall or concrete structure. However, this is more expensive and less sustainable than a soil-based solution.
Environment-focused collaboration
In protecting our region, we draw on the expertise of engineering firms, knowledge institutions, Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) and other water authorities. We also collaborate with other authorities, such as municipalities and the province. The national government plays a major role as supervisor partner in HWBP projects, while the Province of North Holland plays that role in VBK projects. We also collaborate with social organizations, interest groups, entrepreneurs, etc. We work on water safety for citizens using taxpayers' money. This is how the management, maintenance, and reinforcement of dikes is carried out.
Because dyke reinforcement can have major consequences, we involve the local community in the plans at an early stage. We organize meetings and visit local residents. We also consult with the municipality and other organizations such as PWN or nature organizations that play a role. Before a dyke reinforcement plan is finalized, everyone can view it and have their say.