Meet Environmental Manager Eddi Ottens

Familiar with De Onlanden? 

“Absolutely! I was already working for the water board in 2012 when the floods hit. Since then, various measures have been taken to prevent flooding. Creating more water storage capacity is one of them. I also have a personal connection with De Onlanden. I live on the edge of the area, go running there, and often cycle through it.” 

What changes will be made to the existing water storage facilities?

De Onlanden is already a water storage area, where water from the higher-lying province of Drenthe flows in naturally during heavy rainfall. Soon, a controlled water storage facility will be added. We are raising the existing quays so that we can retain extra water within this area. We use weirs and pumping stations to ensure that the water is collected in a controlled manner and gradually discharged into the sea. De Onlanden can currently collect 7.5 million m³ of water. With the additional water storage facility, the capacity will increase to 12.7 million m³ of water.” 

When will it be ready? 

"All work is expected to be completed in 2027."

How often do we use the extra water storage? 

“Only in extreme weather conditions. The water will then remain in the area for several days. Full deployment is expected to be necessary once every 25 years on average. We may deploy part of the system once every 10 years.”

Questions or concerns?
Eddi is available to answer your questions.
Email: optimalisatieonlanden@noorderzijlvest.nl
Telephone: 06-51403752