Extreme rain, dry summers: working together to manage rainwater more intelligently

Water butts

To launch the national “Water butts" initiative, the first “water butts” were presented in 's-Hertogenbosch by ambassador and gardening expert Lodewijk Hoekstra and Jeroen Haan, chairperson of the Dutch Water Authorities. We’re kicking off the campaign this spring, and our ambassadors will be offering practical advice to anyone who wants to get started with a water butt. Good for the garden and for the neighbuorhood. Every garden has a water butt - Water Authorities

Using water more wisely is more urgent than ever

The Netherlands is ill-prepared for the safety risks posed by extreme rainfall, even though this type of weather is becoming increasingly common due to climate change (Dutch Safety Board, 2026). Although many Dutch people are not yet fully aware of the impact of increasing weather extremes, now is precisely the time to take action—and that’s also very good for your own garden. According to Jeroen Haan, chairman of the Dutch Water Authorities:

The work of the water authorities is becoming increasingly difficult because the weather is becoming more extreme. Situations where we have to deal with too much or too little water occur more often. We cannot always prevent wet feet due to extreme rainfall or damage to nature due to drought, for example, but together we can make an important contribution. That is why water authorities need all the help they can get with collecting water. We are calling on all garden owners in the Netherlands to use water butts."

Why every garden needs a water butt

Governments and businesses play an important role in water management, but the contribution of residents is indispensable. Water authority ambassador and gardening expert Lodewijk Hoekstra emphasides the importance:

"Disconnecting water and collecting water is a good idea for any garden. It prevents flooding in your neighbourhood during heavy rainfall and provides you with your own water supply during dry periods. Together with the Water butts Brigade, I will be helping people over the coming months to disconnect their downpipes, install rain butts, or construct a wadi, a green, sunken plant border that allows water to flow through. In this way, we are making the Netherlands more future-proof, so that we can limit nuisance and damage caused by climate change and make gardens greener." 

More than 70 percent of Dutch people do not yet have a water butt, while almost half of garden owners are open to the idea. A lack of knowledge appears to be a major barrier: 40 percent do not know how to connect a water butt (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management). With explanations and support from the ambassadors, the water authorities are helping residents get started this spring.

Source 1:Dutch Safety Board, 2026
Source 2:Waterpeil, 2024
Source 3:Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, 2024