Dutch and Peruvian partners learn from each other

From September 27 to October 18, a working visit took place in Peru as part of the Blue Deal. This international program brings together Dutch water authorities and partners worldwide to work on sustainable water management. The goal: to exchange knowledge and collaborate to strengthen water security in times of climate change.

From Piura to Lima: water as a challenge and a connecting force

Our partners in Peru are the water councils in Piura and Tumbes. There, we saw how drought and sedimentation reduce the capacity of reservoirs. Water is not a given here: irrigation and reservoirs are crucial for agriculture and drinking water. Students presented innovative research into more efficient water use in rice cultivation – promising solutions in a vulnerable region. These insights, What if water becomes scarce?, are valuable for the Netherlands, where we are increasingly faced with scarcity and extremes. 

What we did in Piura (September 29-30) 

  • Reservoir visits Poechos & San Lorenzo: Presentations on water availability, water distribution, irrigation management, and sedimentation issues.
  • Discussions with Water Users Association: Aboutchallenges in distributing water for agriculture and drinking water.
  • Student presentations: Researchinto water conservation in rice cultivation, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Institute (INIA) and the National Water Authority (ANA).
  • Consultation with Chira-Piura Water Council & ANIN (National Infrastructure Authority): Governance, decision-making, flood prevention, and infrastructure projects.
  • Field visit to the Ejidos Dam: Importantfor agriculture and safety during high water levels in the Piura River. 
Area in Piura
Image 1: area in Piura

In Lima: water safety in a megacity 

During a field visit to the Rimac river basin, we saw how illegal construction along riverbanks and extreme rainfall pose major risks. We discussed sustainable solutions such as "Room for the River" and "Water and Soil Control" – principles that are also relevant in the Netherlands. 

What we did in Lima (October 1-4)

  • Blue Deal Regional Event: Partners from Peru, Argentina, and Colombia shared knowledge about governance, climate adaptation, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Technical sessions: Innovationssuch as the WFlow model and Climate Café methodology.
  • Presentation by youth panel: Exampleof participation and support.
  • Field visit to the Rimac River: Risk analysisand solutions for water safety. 
Blue Deal Regional Event
Image 2: Blue Deal Regional Event

Tumbes: cooperation for a sustainable future  

In Tumbes, the focus was on cooperation with water councils, water safety, and climate adaptation.  

 What we did in Tumbes (October 6-7) 

  • Climate Café: Opening and workshops on climate adaptation and mitigation, with the theme "caring for the river."  
  • Reforestation & awareness campaign: With students and local stakeholders.
  • Field visits: theunique mangrove ecosystem in Puerto Pizarro and water infrastructure at La Peña, crucial for water distribution and agriculture.
  • Discussions with the Tumbes Water Council: On water management, governance, and progress of Blue Deal projects. 

Logical continuation of the program 

The working visit was followed by in-depth workshops: 

  • WFlow workshops (Piura & Tumbes): Training in hydrological models for local teams (October 6-10).
  • Climate Café workshops (Piura): Actionsrelated to climate adaptation and river management (October 13-16). 

Our lessons

“InPeru, we saw how water management is not only a technical challenge, but also a social one. We not only shared knowledge, but also learned a lot – about dealing with scarcity, working with natural systems, and the importance of support. International cooperation makes us stronger, precisely because we can learn from each other.” 

says Roeland van der Schaaf, dike reeve of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority. 

We have learned that 

  • Water management is not only a technical matter, but also involves cooperation with people and nature. 
  • Support and participation are crucial in water distribution in times of scarcity. 
  • Making space for the river and implementing water and soil management measures help to prevent flooding and ensure proper landscape design. As in the Netherlands, efforts are also needed in Peru to put this approach into practice.
  • Challenges such as sedimentation and irrigation management call for innovative solutions—insights that may also be valuable for the Netherlands in the future.  

 We will incorporate these insights into our 2027 annual plan and into joint projects on irrigation, climate adaptation, and organizational strengthening.  

About Blue Deal

Blue Deal is an initiative of the Dutch water authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The program works worldwide to improve access to clean, sufficient, and safe water. 

International cooperation

The Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is the coordinator of this partnership, which was established together with the Peruvian water authority and the Dutch water authorities Rivierenland, Hunze en Aa’s, HHNK, Wetterskip Fryslân, and Scheldestromen.
Want to know more? Read more about international cooperation.