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Noorderzijlvest Water Authority logo
Noorderzijlvest Water Authority logo

Living safely with water

We live in one of the most dangerous areas in the world because our country lies below sea level. To protect ourselves from the water, we have built dykes and quays. Sometimes there is a lot of rain in a short period of time. We store the excess water in areas designed for this purpose. This keeps our feet dry. We have to learn to live safely with sometimes too much and sometimes too little water.

Storm and high water

Storms and high water levels occur most frequently between October and April. During this period, we are ready to monitor the dikes and quays.

Earthquakes

Gas extraction in Groningen causes earthquakes. By reinforcing dikes and quays, we ensure that they can withstand earthquakes.

Land subsidence

Gas is located in a layer of rock at a depth of 3 kilometers. All soil layers above this rock layer are sinking due to gas extraction.

Muskrat management

Muskrats dig tunnels and burrows that can cause damage to dikes, banks, and quays. They do not fit into our water system.

Maintenance of dikes and quays

We maintain dikes and quays so that they remain strong enough to hold back water. Every six years, we test whether the dikes and quays are still strong enough.

Water storage

In the event of flooding, we discharge excess water into the sea. When the sea level is high, this is not always possible immediately. In that case, we temporarily store the water.

Maintenance of bank protection works

Policy for the design and designation of maintenance obligations for quay walls, revetments, and banks.

The flow of too much water

How do we deal with excess water when it rains for a long time? We show this in our animation 'The course of excess water'.