These areas are susceptible to water shortages. That has implications for the groundwater and surface water. It is therefore essential to improve freshwater availability and targeted measures are needed to achieve this. Events in 2018 showed how much damage extreme drought can cause, particularly in agriculture and horticulture. 2019, 2020 and 2022 were also particularly dry years. Furthermore, water shortages have negative effects on nature and water quality in nature areas and streams. In addition to drought, these areas are also vulnerable to problems with excess water. It is therefore important to coordinate the various measures properly so that a sustainable balance is established in the water system.  

The partners in the North, East and South of the Netherlands worked together to draw up an ambition and strategy for 2050: ‘to make the High-Lying Areas with Sandy Soils in the North, East and South of the Netherlands climate-resilient and water-robust so that the regions can cope better with extreme weather, water shortages or excessive water’.  

This means that an area-wide approach is needed for the intended resilient water/groundwater system. A programme has been drawn up for the short term (2022-2027) with concrete measures. The objective in that respect is: ‘By 2027, climate-resilient and water-robust planning will be the usual practice. By 2027, 20% of the High-Lying Areas with Sandy Soils will comply with the ambition for 2050.’ Freshwater and spatial adaptation measures will be interrelated as much as possible, with limited water availability in the summer being taken into account. 

To remain resilient

To remain resilient, a transition to a more robust water system is necessary for the High-Lying Areas with Sandy Soils. A system of this kind retains water better and prevents problems with excessive water as much as possible. The main tracks are: 

  • Transformative track 
    • Spatial planning: water availability will be the guiding principle for spatial planning. This may lead to changes in the area functions.
  • Adaptive track 
    • Adaptation of regional water system: overhaul of the water infrastructure with the aim of retaining water in the soil and/or reducing runoff. This sponge strategy helps in situations that are too dry or too wet.  
    • Adaptation of land use: functions are maintained, but land use responds to climate extremes.  
  • Reduction track 
    • Adaptation of water consumption: reducing water consumption with temporary water storage, a more economical use of drinking water or the deployment of innovative/circular technologies such as the recycling of wastewater or industrial water. 

This builds on the strategy introduced previously with the focus on a robust regional water system (water retention), efficient water use (reducing extraction) and spatial adaptation (land use adapted to water availability). 

The direction is determined at the scale of the freshwater regions of the High-Lying Areas with Sandy Soils for the approach and order of magnitude of the agenda. Spatial decisions are components of provincial policies and integrated decisions in the context of spatial planning and area processes.  

Connections

A transition to a resilient water system requires not only technical interventions, but also a fundamental change in thinking and policy. This transition process may take a generation. Long-term policies, with the associated investments, are therefore essential. A clear perspective and a steady course are needed, as well as an area-based approach in the rural area with all stakeholders. This approach cannot be viewed separately from the other area agendas, including water quality, nature, energy and housing. 

Finally, there is a connection with nitrogen deposition. A failure to make decisions or decisions with an adverse effect based on the nitrogen deposition dossier will interfere with progress on water availability. For example, implementation at present is suffering from delays in the granting of nature permits.