http://www.waterland.net/index.cfm/site/Water%20in%20the%20Netherlands/pageid/CDA23B7F-A1DC-4611-1137C7EDC4985A1C/index.cfm/dutch%20water%20sector
When it comes to hydraulic engineering and water resource management, few can match the Dutch. Not surprising, because the Dutch has been living below sea level for centuries and the threat of being flooded by water is perpetual. In the land of Rembrant, windmills and tulips, engineers have been constantly engaged in the search for solutions to keep the population safe from invading waters. Towards that effort, hundreds of kilometers of dikes have been built, barrages have been constructed and innovation technologies put into operation.
The Dutch also learn many lessons from nature, which has contributed to their depth of experience. For instance, they have learnt that human interventions such as building higher dikes, installing stronger pumping engines and continuous draining of wetlands are no longer a sustainable or sensible solution. The sea always comes back stronger than before.
Instead, various public and private organizations have begun to apply concepts such as ‘living rivers’, ‘water as guiding principle’, ‘dynamic coastal management’, and ‘building with nature’. These approaches acknowledge the benefits of the natural processes of ecosystem and human societies. Water must be given more, rather than less space. It must be allowed to spread. The practice of reclaiming land from the sea has long-term consequences, which the Dutch has discovered. Co-existence rather than containment is now the catchword, as the realization has set in that it is far better to give up land for greater public safety.
Within the Netherlands, water management is actively pursued by the government ministries, regional and local administration, as well as water supply companies. Coordinating the efforts of the public and private sector is the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) which aims to strengthen the Dutch contribution towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals and tackling worldwide water problems. NWP is helping to create a synergy within Dutch sector.
Also, the country has develop a unique and coherent knowledge knowledge infrastructure comprising prominent government and private research centers, technological and educational institutes (such as Alterra, UNESCO-IHE,ITC) and many universities. Both basic and applied research are carried out by these institutes in a broad range of water-related fields such as hydraulic engineering, flood management, sanitation and water treatment. These institutes have also formed close alliances with international companies. In fact, a lot of Dutch research is internationally oriented and the institutes have assiduously built up large networks whereby knowledge is shared and developed.
Coming to the field of water treatment, Netherland’s potable water quality is already one of the finest in the world. Drinking water is generally supplied without chlorine or any disinfectant, which greatly enhances the costumer’s perception of quality. Further, the water is free from organic micro-elements, nitrates etc. Adherence to the European Water Framework Directive is the topmost priority for all concerned parties.
The same directive is pushing a majority of sewage treatment plants in Netherlands to include fourth stage of treatment before 2026. This could be sand filtration, membrance bioreactors or active carbon.In institutional capacity building also, the Dutch have accumulated considerable experience and expertise within the water sector. Educational institutes such as UNESCO-IHE have been offering courses to international students for several decades, leading to the formations of network of professionals in the field of water Management who go back to work on projects in their home countries. The expression ‘going Dutch’ might soon signify ‘sharing of knowledge’.
When it comes to hydraulic engineering and water resource management, few can match the Dutch. Not surprising, because the Dutch has been living below sea level for centuries and the threat of being flooded by water is perpetual. In the land of Rembrant, windmills and tulips, engineers have been constantly engaged in the search for solutions to keep the population safe from invading waters. Towards that effort, hundreds of kilometers of dikes have been built, barrages have been constructed and innovation technologies put into operation.
The Dutch also learn many lessons from nature, which has contributed to their depth of experience. For instance, they have learnt that human interventions such as building higher dikes, installing stronger pumping engines and continuous draining of wetlands are no longer a sustainable or sensible solution. The sea always comes back stronger than before.
Instead, various public and private organizations have begun to apply concepts such as ‘living rivers’, ‘water as guiding principle’, ‘dynamic coastal management’, and ‘building with nature’. These approaches acknowledge the benefits of the natural processes of ecosystem and human societies. Water must be given more, rather than less space. It must be allowed to spread. The practice of reclaiming land from the sea has long-term consequences, which the Dutch has discovered. Co-existence rather than containment is now the catchword, as the realization has set in that it is far better to give up land for greater public safety.
Within the Netherlands, water management is actively pursued by the government ministries, regional and local administration, as well as water supply companies. Coordinating the efforts of the public and private sector is the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) which aims to strengthen the Dutch contribution towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals and tackling worldwide water problems. NWP is helping to create a synergy within Dutch sector.
Also, the country has develop a unique and coherent knowledge knowledge infrastructure comprising prominent government and private research centers, technological and educational institutes (such as Alterra, UNESCO-IHE,ITC) and many universities. Both basic and applied research are carried out by these institutes in a broad range of water-related fields such as hydraulic engineering, flood management, sanitation and water treatment. These institutes have also formed close alliances with international companies. In fact, a lot of Dutch research is internationally oriented and the institutes have assiduously built up large networks whereby knowledge is shared and developed.
Coming to the field of water treatment, Netherland’s potable water quality is already one of the finest in the world. Drinking water is generally supplied without chlorine or any disinfectant, which greatly enhances the costumer’s perception of quality. Further, the water is free from organic micro-elements, nitrates etc. Adherence to the European Water Framework Directive is the topmost priority for all concerned parties.
The same directive is pushing a majority of sewage treatment plants in Netherlands to include fourth stage of treatment before 2026. This could be sand filtration, membrance bioreactors or active carbon.In institutional capacity building also, the Dutch have accumulated considerable experience and expertise within the water sector. Educational institutes such as UNESCO-IHE have been offering courses to international students for several decades, leading to the formations of network of professionals in the field of water Management who go back to work on projects in their home countries. The expression ‘going Dutch’ might soon signify ‘sharing of knowledge’.
We have plenty water resource in Malaysia
location: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
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