Water as the key
We are increasingly faced with longer periods of heavy rainfall or drought. This has consequences for the water system. The aim is to create a system that adapts to climate change, provides enough water, and prevents flooding as much as possible.
Eelder and Peizerdiep water system
Water is the key to solving many problems in the Kop van Drenthe region. It is important to agriculture, the quality of life in rural areas, biodiversity, tourism, housing, CO₂ storage in peat soils, dealing with heat stress, and preventing flooding. Sooner or later, climate change will affect all functions in this area. This is because the Eelder and Peizerdiep system, an almost closed water system, is heavily dependent on rainwater and, in the summer, on water from the IJsselmeer.
Climate change
Our climate is becoming warmer and wetter. Winters are seeing more rain, while summers are becoming drier. And when it does rain in the summer, it is increasingly heavy. Yet the precipitation surplus is decreasing. This is because an increasing proportion of the precipitation evaporates again. Less water will infiltrate the soil, resulting in less water being available for drinking water and irrigation, for seepage-dependent nature, and flowing streams. There will also be less water available for supply from lake IJsselmeer, via the canals and streams.
Increased demand for water
At the same time, we are seeing an increase in water demand. The population is growing and per capita water consumption is rising. This is putting greater pressure on available groundwater and, consequently, on groundwater reserves. Climate change is leading to increased drought in nature and in agriculture. This creates greater demand for water, which is more difficult to meet when less water is available from lake IJsselmeer and groundwater reserves are under pressure.
Not all consequences of climate change—drought and flooding—can be solved. The system does have its limits. This means a large part of the solution will be in adaptation and acceptance.
Water and soil guiding principle
The water and soil system is the foundation for all developments in the Kop van Drenthe region. In order to create a climate-proof and future-oriented area, we apply the 'water and soil guiding principle'. This means that the functions of the area, such as agriculture, nature, construction, and recreation, are tailored to the natural possibilities and limitations of the water and soil system.
This principle forms the basis for all proposed measures and contributes to an integrated approach that also takes account of issues such as biodiversity, landscape, agriculture, economy, cultural history, and archaeology.
