Society makes demands on the administrative organisation and the performance of water management services. And rightly so. Water authorities, from the municipal to the European level, are endeavouring to respond adequately. In the Netherlands the regional water authorities are crucial in providing the required water management services, i.e. flood control, irrigation and drainage and municipal waste water purification.

A Case Study Report

The 21st century sets unique challenges to the water sector. It is essential to improve the quality of the surface water and groundwater to ensure a drinking-water supply of good quality. Both within and outside Europe, a significant proportion of the population still has no access to good drinking water or adequate sanitary facilities.

An increasingly larger part of the regional water authorities’ work is influenced by European policy developments, legislation, regulations and financing. Besides issues directly connected with water, such as water quality, water and agriculture, water scarcity and drought, and climate change, this also applies to less obvious matters such as innovation, public-private partnerships and information provision.

Energy efficient waste water treatment in the Netherlands.

Water is an issue that is increasingly demanding our attention across the world. It is of vital importance and without it there would be no prospect for life. The recently created Dolphin Club has to make sure that water will indeed get the central place it deserves in the political heart of Europe. Because water touches upon everything and everyone in our society.

Flood protection, the prevention against flooding, damage caused by draughts and good water quality are areas that will require additional efforts in the future. The aim of modern water management is to do justice to the many relationships and interests involved with our water resources. A new Water Act is being prepared in order to meet water management requirements facing our country in future. It is expected to take effect as from late 2009.