"Our Waterscape" was a success!

Several hundred visitors stopped by our wonderful and educational one-day beach event during the afternoon.

Festival atmosphere

Several hundred visitors enjoyed a lively festival atmosphere on the beach at Siblu Familieparken in Lauwersoog last Saturday. Many beach-goers, campers, and passers-by made their way to the small beach. The water authority set up three informative and educational pavilions on the beach, highlighting three major construction projects the water authority is completing this year. 

The audience listens to presentations and music
The audience listens to presentations and music.

For example, the project for the new, expanded wastewater treatment plant in Gaarkeuken—which replaces the old facilities in Marum and Zuidhorn—focused on clean and healthy water.

Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp (Zoutkamp hydraulic-engineering works) among other things, the construction of the new Hunsingo pumping station, which can pump 1,600 cubic meters of water per minute. This will make the hinterland better able to withstand large volumes of water that can come down during peak downpours. Because Zoutkamp is also a hub for fish migration, our ecologist explained how we are making the new pumping station for migratory fish.

Fish migration was a popular topic at Our Water World
The story about fish migration was popular at Our Waterscape

The reinforcement of the Lauwersmeer dyke is nearing completion.  As a result, the dyke meets the standards for safe coexistence with water. Visitors learned more about the nature projects carried out as part of the reinforcement, such as the artificial reefs along the coast and the tidal culvert Marnewaard, where the Wadden Sea is being given space behind the dyke to help strengthen the Wadden Sea ecosystem.

Photo display showing an overview of the work being done on the Lauwersmeer dyke
Photo displays about the three projects provided a wealth of information on the progress of all the construction work.

The children had fun playing many educational games about working with water. 

Children learn how we manage water in our region using the water table
Children learn how we manage water in our region using the water table.

The highlight was the arrival of the floating green island at the end of the afternoon. Over the past two weeks, the island has travelled past Gaarkeuken, Groningen city centre, the Reitdiep, and Zoutkamp.

The floating green island arrives in Lauwersoog
The floating green island arrives in Lauwersoog.

At Lauwersmeer, the event concluded on the island with a solemn performance by the artist duo ZOLT, who expressed the value of water in an artistic and contemplative manner.

An art installation featuring steel and glass elements, along with test tubes filled with water, symbolises value of water.
Small test tubes were handed out to the public by water nomads as a way to cherish water and give it back to nature.

Fortunately, the threatening clouds that followed the island to the little beach didn't spoil the fun.