Infrastructure & Water

Finding solutions together
© Rijkswaterstaat

The Netherlands is the best protected delta in the world. Yet, how do we keep our country safe from high water, now and in the future, and ensure a sufficient supply of fresh water? And how can we ensure that the Netherlands remains an attractive country in which to live, work, and invest?

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Coastal areas

The water sector focuses on the protection of the Dutch coast, as well as on water-saving systems and water technologies for water recycling.

In the last 800 years, the Dutch have created innovative solutions to water-related problems that threaten communities, economic capital, and quality of life. A series of measures help keep Dutch cities safe and attractive, including multifunctional levees, flood-resilient buildings, and green infrastructure.

With 60 percent of its land prone to flooding, the Netherlands has learned to live with water and harness its power.
 

The Netherlands and American regions at risk of floods and storm surge actively exchange expertise on how to properly manage water for protection, taking into account the impact of a changing climate. Some good examples of this include the Delta Works and the Sand Motor.

Water quality

Besides keeping water out, the Dutch also know how to make and keep water clean. Built on four centuries of hard-earned experience, the Dutch are unrivaled in areas such as drinking water production, water distribution, sewage management, and wastewater treatment.

The Netherlands has developed several smart ways to purify water, including the usage of worms to minimize sewage sludge and sieving techniques that separate toilet paper from waste water.

Learn more about what the Netherlands is doing to guarantee clean drinking water.

Mobility

The Netherlands is a unique testing ground for smart mobility solutions. That’s why the government is supporting their development in many ways, from providing testing facilities to adjusting rules and regulations.

The aim is to make smart mobility possible on a larger scale. In the Netherlands, businesses, knowledge institutions and government are working on this together.

Learn more about mobility in the Netherlands.

Climate and circular economy

Scientists consider the continued increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere as the main cause of climate change. Through the process of global warming, the temperature rises, and as a result, the sea level rises. In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Dutch government takes mitigation measures, including the transition to a circular economy.

In a circular economy, materials are reused. For example, waste glass is used to make new glass and waste paper is used to make new paper. To ensure that in the future there are enough raw materials for food, shelter, heating and other necessities, our economy must become circular.

Learn more about how the Netherlands is responding to climate change and switching to a circular economy.