On the agenda of the Bestuur of Directors 12 July 2023

€3,363,000 for water level decisions in Oudezijl, Garmerwolde, and Rottegat, and a climate-resilient water system

In order to manage the water level in the Oudezijl and Garmerwolde Rottegat polders in accordance with legal requirements, on 12 July the Board of Directors will decide on these two water level regulation plans and an investment credit of more than €3 million. This credit is necessary to make the water system climate-proof. These two water level regulation plans are part of the implementation programme for subsidence water level regulation plans that started in 2018. 

Oudezijl Water Level Decision

The Oudezijl water level regulation plan concerns the drainage area of pumping station , which drains into the second subcatchment of the Electra catchwater. This area comprises nine water level regulation plan areas with a combined surface area of 864 hectares. Since 1972, the ground has subsided by between 15 and 28 centimetres as a result of natural gas extraction. 

Water Level Decision for Garmerwolde and Rottegat

The Garmerwolde-Rottegat Water Level Decision covers the drainage area served by the Garmerwolde and Rottegat pumping stations 
, both of which discharge into the Damsterdiep. This area includes six water level control zones with a combined surface area of 450 hectares. Since 1972, the ground has centimetre between 19 and 31 centimetre as a result of
natural gas extraction. Land use in both polders is primarily agricultural. In the absence of a valid Water Level Regulation Plan , water levels Water Level Regulation Plan regulated based on operational water level management, that is, based on practical experience.
 

Construction of four fish passages at the pumping stations Delthe and Sichterman pumping stations

In 2021, the Board of Directors construction of four fish passages at the pumping stations and De Delthe pumping stations . A loan of €1,660,000 was granted at that time. These fish passages are part of the Water Framework Directive Phase 2 program. A two-phase contract in a construction team structure was chosen. Due to a shortage of capacity, the tendering process was delayed, and the contract was awarded in June 2022.

Need additional credit? 

With the completion of the first phase of the contract, the preferred options have been developed and finalized. At pumping station , the fish passages can be realised on our own land, realised the situation is different at pumping station Delthe pumping station . During the realisation exploration for land acquisition realisation location, resistance was encountered among residents living near De Delthe. Due to time constraints, these two locations have been separated from the other two. The two obstacle-free fish passages at Sichterman and the Popstuw have already been awarded so that we could proceed with
the contractor under the contract. The approach is that the two fish passages at De Delthe and the Delthestuw can be added quickly because the technical designs are otherwise identical to each other. Proceeding with these projects is possible following agreement with the residents and the implementation of the necessary measures. The Board of Directors July 12 regarding the requested additional credit of €550,000. In addition realisation the Water Framework Directive requirements, this weir also weir a better new access road to the pumping station the weir . 
 

Investment to maintain properties for the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority 

On July 12, the Board of Directors on an investment of over 12 million euros for major maintenance of our water authority facilities. This includes €5,500,000 for maintenance of water system and flood control facilities and €7,000,000 for maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities. This covers pumping stations, weirs, intakes, sewage pumping stations, and treatment plants. 

Asset Management

In recent months, asset management has been used to assess the condition and risks of a large portion of our properties. A necessary catch-up effort is required, and it will take several years before all properties are brought up to a minimum standard. This catch-up effort will restore the safety, availability, and reliability of the properties to the desired level. Implementing these measures does not result in a quality improvement beyond what is necessary for the proper operation and functioning of the properties. Major maintenance ensures that the properties can deliver the desired performance, remain reliable and available, and keep risks within the desired risk profile. The measures help to manage the balance between corrective and preventive maintenance. Additionally, the measures extend the service life of the assets, which also has a positive impact on sustainability aspects.