In the Netherlands, water authorities are responsible for the water system, the dikes, and water quality. The water level is tightly regulated, the dikes and flood defenses are continuously monitored and guarded, and hard work is done to ensure the best possible water quality. This helps ensure that we can live andwork in the Netherlands. Most of the time, things go smoothly.
Occasionally, water boards escalate to a crisis situation because extra attention and commitment are required during a water crisis. This has always been the case.
The Dutch authorities expect more and more serious water crises to come. Weather is becoming more extreme, both dryer and wetter. “Our water infrastructure is strong, but also vulnerable. Boats accidentally collide with our waterworks, technical systems fail, and we increasingly have to take into account geopolitical threats and deliberate (cyber) actions to disrupt our water system.”
In such more extreme situations, water managers cannot do without the help of citizens, farmers, and businesses. The water boards are preparing for those situations by organizing citizen participation, or perhaps even citizen emergency response, in this way, the needs of society are recognized and targeted, even in water crises.
Some examples
Dike breach Wilnis 2003
In Wilnis, residents helped pump out water after the dike breach. Residents were deployed as dike guards. They made the area accessible to emergency services, directed traffic, monitored the scene of the incident, and cleaned up the area after the incident.
Disabled people were assisted by neighbors. Farmers helped other farmers evacuate livestock. Residents, sometimes in collaboration with the police, assisted in evacuating residents by searching homes for stragglers. Residents helped set up shelters, collected supplies, and provided free food and drinks.
Oil Tanker Rotterdam 2018
In 2018, the oil and chemical tankerBow Jobail collided with a jetty in Rotterdam. More than 200,000 liters of oil spilled into the water and contaminated a large number of birds. Many volunteers signed up to help rescue the birds. They were cared for and cleaned by the many volunteers at various bird sanctuaries.
What do the waterboards to prepare?
Registering volunteers is important to provide insight into who is involved and to allow for better planning and coordination of deployment (for example, based on knowledge and skills, or energy and passion). After deployment, it can be checked that everyone has returned safely and that any borrowed items have been returned. Volunteers must be trained in dike monitoring. At high water, at least two people are needed, including their personal protective equipment and coordination with the water authority.
Tip: No one will commit to a vague goal or organization without a clear mission. Recruiting volunteers requires a well-thought-out approach, preferably based on a volunteer policy that clearly states who you’re looking for, for what purpose, and why it’s enjoyable or important. A common vision helps a lot.
Tip: Volunteers can be involved in a remote think tank before, during, and after a water crisis. Volunteers with specific local knowledge, scientists, or (former) experts in water management, nature, or crisis management can provide input. They can also be deployed as “counter-thinkers”, highlighting other aspects of the problem. They have different knowledge and specific local knowledge.
Tip: Local volunteers and representatives, in particular, will have a greater sense of involvement because they are taken seriously (strengthening legitimacy).
Tips come from the Dutch Handbook for watermanagers and crisispartners to help them organize voluntairy citizen participation TNO-2025 (pdf)