Dredged silt from the Suriname River: waste or beneficial material? The Weg naar Zee project, funded by Partners for Water, investigated whether silt dredged from the Suriname River could be used to address coastal erosion and mangrove losses along the Suriname coast. Last month, the feasibility study concluded with promising results. Below, Bob Smits from consortium partner Deltares explains the potential of dredged silt.

About 8 years ago, Nature-based Solutions Advisor Bob Smits completed his master’s thesis on mangrove restoration at the independent knowledge institute Deltares. Since then, he has developed his expertise in coastal protection and management, particularly in sediment transport. In the Weg naar Zee project, Bob serves as the technical lead and project coordinator.

The Weg naar Zee feasibility study was conducted in collaboration with Boskalis, Conservation International Suriname, InterConnect and the Anton de Kom University of Suriname.

Natural buffer

The coastal area of Weg naar Zee is an intertidal zone nearly two kilometres wide, located directly west of the Suriname River mouth. “The coastal area used to be covered with mangroves,” Bob explains, “but over the past decades, it has eroded significantly due to changing land use, leading to the disappearance of almost all mangroves.” These mangroves served as a natural buffer against erosion and flooding. “With the loss of this buffer, flooding now occurs regularly.”

However, the Suriname River is being deepened to improve navigation, releasing large amounts of silt. “Currently, this material is being released into the ocean, but it is actually a valuable resource that can be utilised,” says Bob. “With this project, we aim to investigate whether we can use this dredged material to combat further erosion.”

Silt, sand, and mangroves

“We have some interesting findings from the analysis of the historical coastal development,” Bob says. “Sand appears to play a significant role in the natural restoration of mangrove trees. This can be observed in an area west of Weg naar Zee, where mangroves have returned without active human intervention. We suspect this is due to the natural formation of sandbanks in the intertidal zone, which cause the area behind them to fill with silt, creating an ideal habitat for mangroves.” However, no sandbanks are being formed on the foreshore of Weg naar Zee. “This is most likely caused by previous sand extraction east of the Suriname River and damming upstream of the river.”

Stimulating mangrove habitat

“The potential role of sand is a significant insight that we incorporate into our recommendations,” says Bob. “We see the possibility of placing artificial sandbanks, which would allow us to fill the area behind them with the dredged silt.” This solution would improve the natural conditions for a mangrove habitat, enabling the trees to grow again and form a natural buffer. He continues, “Reusing silt from dredged material is already being done in several places, and is widely acknowledged as a promising concept. However, this combination of using dredged silt and sand for the benefit of mangrove restoration and erosion control is still new.”

Valuable collaborations

“During the research, we involved local stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Public Works and local residents,” notes Bob. “Not only are they the problem owners, but they also possess a lot of local knowledge that we can combine with our international experience. We also owe a great deal to the Dutch Embassy in Suriname, which helped us significantly in arranging meetings with the Ministry of Public Works.”

“I believe the most important aspect of collaboration is to have mutual respect and to be open to each other’s experiences and knowledge,” says Bob. “As a Dutch entity, I view challenges and solutions with my Dutch framework. To develop a solution that is adapted to the local context, it is essential to ask for input and knowledge from local parties and stakeholders and to truly work together towards a collaborative resolution.”

What’s next

“The results have been well received by the Ministry of Public Works and the local residents,” says Bob. As a follow-up to this feasibility study, the consortium would like to initiate a pilot project and is currently exploring available financing opportunities. As Bob explains, “The situation of coastal erosion and mangrove loss we have investigated is similar to the rest of the Surinamese coast and also to that of neighbouring countries Guyana and French Guiana. So if our planned pilot-project is successful, there are plenty of opportunities to scale it up.”

Ahead of Stockholm World Water Week taking place August 25-29, Partners for Water invited three experts from Dutch companies working on water and climate issues, to share their experiences with the Water as Leverage programme. Water may be the root of many problems, but it is also a key solution as well.

Given the climate challenges we face, the interconnectedness between water management, urban planning and climate adaptation has never been more important. Experts like Naomi Hoogervorst, a senior urban planner at UN-Habitat, biologist Eduardo Marin, an associate partner at Felixx Landscape Architects and Planners and renowned Thai landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, have been at the forefront of ground-breaking solutions that are reshaping how cities interact with their water systems.  

All three of them represent pillars of the Water as Leverage (WaL) programme, an innovative initiative launched by the Dutch government in 2018.

WaL, comprising 3 pillars: the Academy; the Factory and the Initiative, brings together experts, international organisations and regional local partners in a holistic way, to go beyond traditional design, and look at the needs of multiple communities. The WaL Academy promotes  knowledge sharing  and capacity building. The Factory focuses on implementing water solutions at various levels and the Initiatives introduces specific projects in several locations

A range of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have since been implemented across various projects around the world. In Thailand, the WaL Academy is exploring alternatives to traditional designs for coastal erosion management and Bangkok has started revitalising its canal systems to improve drainage and water quality.

Synthesise perspectives

Biologist and landscape architect Eduardo Marin, is an enthusiastic supporter of the approach to water management advocated by WaL.  He describes the role of landscape architects as facilitators who synthesise diverse perspectives, from clients to engineers, to create environmentally and financially viable projects. His work includes developing integrated water management projects that focus on the role of the basic fundamental natural systems as part of the solution needed.

In collaboration with the World Bank, he created the “Catalogue of Nature-based Solutions for Urban Resilience.” Previously, he contributed to Rotterdam’s Water Square, an innovative public space designed to collect and manage rainwater efficiently. He also participated in the design competition “Rebuild by Design” aimed at integrating water management into the future planning of the New York and New Jersey region. Out of the 10 competing teams, the majority were Dutch or Dutch-based companies.

Mapping water in Cartagena

Felixx Landscape Architects and Planners along with Eduardo Marin started “Roots of Cartagena” in 2023 as part of the multidisciplinary project to find innovative solutions within the Water as Leverage programme. They began by mapping the intricate relationship between water, the environment and the community in the port city of Cartagena on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast. The city’s rapid disproportionate growth and unequal urban expansion led to clogged water systems affecting both the environment and local livelihoods. Rather than simply installing new infrastructure, Marin explains that they introduced a water-plan that emphasises public spaces and natural development as functional water management systems transforming water management from a technical problem into an opportunity for environmental improvement. “The main problem is that in most cases the link between the water cycle and the city is not in balance so water always ends up in the wrong place,” Marin says.

By cleaning and widening canals, planting vegetation and creating parks that can store and utilise water, the whole community can benefit. “In the end, it is about the people who are living there, not about the pipes, dams and pumps.”

This project is a prime example of how WaL can transform a city’s relationship with its water systems. Rather than relying solely on traditional infrastructure solutions, Marin’s team engaged with the community and local stakeholders in developing strategies that are culturally and socially relevant.

Bright future for WaL

Naomi Hoogervorst, a senior planner at UN Habitat’s headquarters in Nairobi became involved with WaL two years ago and has since advocated for the approach that is “so  fundamentally different from traditional water management strategies”, explains Hoogervorst. She also notes that the collaboration across institutions and sectors, is often lacking in water management projects. Hoogervorst has been actively promoting sustainable urban development and participatory planning including through the Global Future Cities Program, which aligns urban projects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“It’s not just about engineering solutions,” Hoogervorst explains. “WaL connects water issues with broader social, economic and climate-related challenges”. This approach has led to innovative projects like the Chennai initiative, which combines water catchment and treatment with a school and green spaces, simultaneously addressing multiple community needs.

Hoogervorst is particularly involved with the WaL Factory, focusing on implementing water solutions at various planning levels. Despite financial challenges for scaling up WaL, she envisions a bright future: “We’re aiming to establish WaL as a global programme for the next decade. Water issues require sustained effort and long-term partnerships“, Hoogervorst says. UN-Habitat has been involved in many initiatives. Like the one in the city of Prayagraj, India, near the Ganges, where a workshop marked the launch of WaL with a national river-cleaning initiative as part of the “Namami Gange” project. This flagship programme was launched by the Indian government in June 2014 as part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to reduce pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga (Ganges) River. Representatives from national, local and regional governments gathered to discuss how collaborative efforts across various jurisdictions could address water issues. Participants, including engineers, talked about not only technological solutions such as water treatment plants, but also the broader impacts of water management on wetlands, flooding and pollution.

The workshop drew parallels to successful projects in other regions, such as Chennai, where innovative collaborations have transformed water infrastructure into multifunctional public spaces.

No hierarchical boundaries

In Thailand, landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom brings a local perspective to the WaL approach. As a participant in the WaL Academy, she saw how the programme impacted her country by reshaping water management and urban planning .

Voraakhom shared that “The Academy provides opportunities for local experts to learn from Dutch water management expertise while adapting solutions to a Thai context.”

She mentions several projects emerging from WaL Academy discussions, including canal systems revitalisation in Bangkok and exploring Nature-based Solutions for coastal erosion in Thailand.

What is most important for her is the opportunity that now exists to communicate without hierarchical boundaries. She sees the Academy as more than just a temporary programme: “It’s about capacity building and changing mindsets, encouraging officials to consider water issues in relation to environment, engineering and livelihoods, not just about drainage.“

The work of Naomi Hoogervorst, Eduardo Marin and Korch Voraakhom illustrate the growing recognition that water management, urban planning and climate adaptation are inextricably linked.

Partners for Water and Water as Leverage

Partners for Water and as Water as Leverage are both programmes facilitated by the Dutch government and carried out by the Netherlands Enterprise and Development Agency (RVO). There is a significant link between these two programmes namely that Partners for Water is co-financing several Water as Leverage initiatives in Cartagena, Colombia and Chennai, India.

WaL will be at the World Water Week in Stockholm (24-29 August) at the NL pavilion

Water as Leverage will be hosting a pre-launch of the City Champion Challenge at the NL pavilion on:

Tuesday 15.00 -16.00

Speakers: Robert Proos, Coordinator Urban Adaptation and Water International Partners for water / Water as Leverage (Netherlands Enterprise and Development Agency), Sabrina Couvin Rodriguez, Advisor Water Governance (Deltares), Asa Jonsson, Head of Global Water Operator’s Partnership Alliance (GWOPA)

Check out our full programme at SWWW 2024.

Partners for Water has granted subsidies to 10 Dutch entrepreneurs and research institutions. This is the result of the first round of subsidies under the Partners for Water 5 (2022-2027) programme.

On January 25, the parties met in The Hague and presented the projects for which they received subsidies. In close cooperation with local partners, they will use their innovation power to make a positive contribution to water security in different countries in the coming years. For these feasibility studies and pilot projects, the organisations will work in Eswatini, Ghana (2), Nepal, Suriname, Ecuador, Malawi, Colombia, Kenya, and Mexico. Both returning and new organisations have applied for funding.

The 10 projects

Below you can read about the 10 participating organisations and their innovative pilot projects and feasibility studies on water safety and water security.

Water availability forecaster (Eswatini)
The consortium HydroLogic (the Netherlands), Emanti Management (South Africa), and FutureWater (the Netherlands) will launch a pilot project for the GLOW water availability forecaster. This service will provide water managers with information, warnings, and advice on current and expected water availability and demand. This will support water managers in Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa in taking mitigating actions on water availability.

Climate-smart irrigation system (Ghana)
The Technical University of Delft aims to further develop its innovative climate-smart irrigation system through a pilot project. This system provides farmers in Ghana with smart irrigation techniques that are provided with information from local weather stations. Farmers who have used the system so far experience 25% less usage and 15% more harvest.

Precision irrigation systems (Suriname)
Tijms B.V. and Attro Trading Africa aim to provide sustainable solutions for the problems that arise with unhealthy soil conditions. By improving the soil, they want to reduce flooding, drought, and salinization problems, increase crop yields and make the farmland more resilient. To achieve this, they will install solar-powered drip irrigation systems, use integrated farming practices, and transfer knowledge.

Powerful water pump (Nepal)
Together with Himalaya Agro-ecology Research and Development and Agro-Eco Advisors, aQysta B.V. is starting a study on the use of an energy-efficient and powerful water pump to irrigate higher-altitude lands and improve soil quality of Nepalese farmland. Combined with increasing the organic materials on the farmlands, it is expected that participating farmers will use 25% less water and increase their income by 200% within two years.

Flood prediction service (Malawi)
In Malawi, HaskoningDHV is launching a feasibility study on the use of their flood prediction service. This service is designed to be used by governments, aid agencies, and individuals. It allows users to monitor and predict floods in real-time and to receive warnings up to 12 hours in advance. This information will give people more time to evacuate in the event of a flood.

The use of natural groundwater buffers (Colombia)
The Colombian agricultural region Bananera experiences a severe water shortage during the dry season. To improve water security, the option to use underground water wells for storage is being studied by Deltares. During the rainy season, excess fresh water is infiltrated and stored through the wells to be used when a water shortage occurs. The research aims to assess the conditions and risks for storing and recovering fresh water in the subsurface, and to pre-design an Aquifer Storage and Recovery system for one of the local banana farms.

Affordable recirculating aquaculture systems (Kenya)
In Kenya, a consortium of the Wageningen Research, AquaFarmingConsult, EKAS Technologies, FOSPA-Africa, Laikipia University, KMFRI and Nyeri Fish Farmers Cooperative S. (LTD) will conduct a feasibility study for the use of affordable, solar-powered recirculating aquaculture systems (A-RAS) for small-scale fish farmers. This is aimed at reducing the water usage of the fish farmers by up to 90% and increasing their production capacity by 40 times. Not only will this improve the business model of the fish farmers, but it will also improve the food security of the community.

Circular water systems in cities (Mexico)
In Oaxaca de Juarez, the architecture firm Beccan Davila is partnering with Field Factors and the Mexican research institute Centro to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of BlueBlogs in the city. Combining this innovation with proper urban planning, makes it possible to create a circular water system and add green spaces in the city. Excess rainwater can be stored and filtered in green spaces and used during times of drought.

Monitoring and combating algae (Ecuador)
In Ecuador, LG Sonic B.V. has started a pilot project to tackle the growth of algae in shrimp ponds. To counteract the algae bloom, the water quality will be constantly monitored. The resulting data will be used to predict the algae bloom and to combat the growth of the algae with specific ultrasonic sound waves.

Smart reuse of wastewater (Ghana)
Bureau M2 B.V. is conducting a feasibility study to explore the conversion of wastewater into irrigation water. The wastewater will be filtered through either sand or carbon, and the plant ‘Helofyt’. The resulting organic material will be converted into compost, while the remaining filtered water will be used for irrigation.

Do you want to participate in the next funding round?

There are still two subsidy rounds. Pleaes visit the subsidy scheme webpage for more information.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is considered the most water-scarce region globally. The region is grappling with complex water problems such as limited freshwater sources and climate change, all while facing a continuously growing population. Egypt finds itself at the heart of this water dynamic. For all water experts, this is a region where you can immerse yourself in water-related challenges. So it’s not surprising that the Wetskills Young Experts Knowledge Exchange Programme found its home base in bustling Cairo this past February-March.

Dedicated working to a single task

Wetskills brings together young professionals and students to tackle real-life water challenges in a unique setting. The programme isn’t just training; it’s an experience. Johan Oost, Managing Director of the Wetskills Foundation, emphasises, “In two weeks, intercultural water teams work together on a case from local and international sector partners. They are encouraged to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. The programme provides the teams with an outline of some training and activities, giving them freedom and responsibilities. This approach leads to creative solutions and fresh perspectives emerging, while friendships are also built. Where else do you have the luxury of dedicating two weeks to one task with other enthusiastic peers?”

Funding through Partners for Water

Egypt is one of the seven countries in the delta country approach of the Partners for Water (PfW) programme 2022–2027. The Partners for Water bilateral water cooperation involves various representatives from the Dutch and Egyptian governments. The idea for a Wetskills event in Egypt was proposed two years ago by a Wetskills alumni, Dr Alia Amer. At that time, two other events were planned in the MENA region, in Jordan and Palestine. After some consideration, Egypt was chosen as the February-March 2024 destination for Wetskills. The programme was also primarily funded by PfW and co-organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cairo.

The power of influencing

For the first time in Wetskills’ history, the organisation experienced the power of influencer marketing when an Egyptian influencer with an extensive reach promoted the programme. The number of applications for Wetskills in the MENA region skyrocketed as a result. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t accommodate all interested parties in this Wetskills event, but it demonstrates how we can leverage social media for our programme,” Johan Oost said.

The grand finale at the Dutch Embassy

Over two weeks, four teams delved into four cases with various case owners.

1. Better Irrigation Practices for the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) involved developing a 4-in-1 intelligent irrigation IoT system and application to address water shortage problems.
2. Flash Flood Risk Reduction for the Water Resources Research Institute focused on a holistic approach, including enhanced monitoring, strategic land-use planning, flood preparedness, ecosystem conservation, and inter-authority collaboration.
3. Water Footprint Compensation for the Water Footprint Implementation explored how Egypt could benefit from the concept of increasing water availability or quality.
4. Increasing water availability for World Waternet proposed a solution for rainwater harvesting by capturing humid air for households in arid regions.

The teams presented their cases in a special workshop at the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Around 70 people from the field, embassies, local partners, and the Wetskills programme attended. Case 4 was declared the winning case at this grand finale.

Ripple effect

Wetskills impacts participants and the local community not only directly but also through the creation of a ripple effect that extends beyond the programme’s duration. “Strong friendships and networks are built in two weeks, which persist after the programme ends. In addition to this natural effect, we also stimulate and monitor the follow-up of some of the ideas via an initiative called ‘WetsNext’. Plans are underway to return to Cairo to share results and set up new events.” Johan explains.

Partners for Water reflects on a successful event in a challenging Delta country!

The Singapore International Water Week, held every two years, welcomes global leaders from businesses, governments and academia to discuss innovative water solutions. Taking place from 18-22 June at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Unique opportunity

This year’s event features distinct topics such as water technology and coastal and flood resilience and is a unique opportunity for the Dutch water sector to showcase collaborative and integrated experiences on such projects as coastal and urban resilience to participants from the wider Southeast Asian region.

In addition to participating in the pavilion, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands will host several events to strengthen existing and new partnerships including a welcome drinks and networking reception.

Why join?

By joining us at this event, you will gain visibility in the Netherlands Pavilion with a booth of 2×1 metres with your company logo, photos and text. In addition, 2 people will be on hand to help host your booth and special social media posts with participating companies including logos will be shared across Partners for Water channels.  You will also be featured in a dedicated newsletter about SIWW with over 800 subscribers and in an article on the Partners for Water website. Participants will have access to two round table discussions on the exhibition floor.

Participation in the Pavilion and at Singapore International Water Week events will highlight and strengthen the already strong position of the Dutch sector and open up greater business and research and development opportunities.

We hope to welcome you in Singapore.

Mission to Singapore International Water Week

Participants who join us at the Netherlands Pavilion in Singapore are automatically part of the mission from Netherlands Enterprise agency to Singapore International Water Week.

Transboundary river management of nine international rivers, frequent cyclones, a 2,650 km shoreline, the dichotomy of water scarcity and abundance, salinisation of groundwater aquifers, and a lack of proper sanitation delineate the intricate water management challenges in Mozambique

These are compounded by the limited operational capacity and broad mandate of water institutes, financial mismanagement, 70% of the population residing in informal settlements, national conflicts, and reliance on funding and subsidies.

In The Hague, over 40 individuals from public and private organisations, knowledge institutions, and NGOs gathered to discuss the bilateral delta collaboration between the Netherlands and Mozambique, forging new connections and uncovering business opportunities in Mozambique’s water and climate sector.

Jaap Kroon from RVO, a project advisor for the Partners for Water programme remarked, “It’s been a while since our last water sector meeting, and given the turnout, it was time to organise another. I’m happy to see everyone here.”

As the world evolves, so do the challenges

The Netherlands’ enduring cooperation with Mozambique started nearly 50 years ago after the independence of the country. Water has been a main topic of the cooperation. The delta cooperation focuses on the coastal city of Beira and aims to make Beira a climate-resilient city and enhance the well-being of its inhabitants. As the world evolves, so do the challenges. Ivo van Haren from the Dutch Embassy in Maputo shared, “Our current policy, ‘doing what we know best,’ focuses on a smaller area for greater efficiency. We’re targeting water and food security programmes, seeking synergies and collaborating across sectors and with donors to address Mozambique’s complex issues.”

Challenges in Mozambique encompass frequent policy shifts, economic fluctuations, climate change impacts like cyclones and floods, financial mismanagement, and water resource management issues, including transboundary water coordination and infrastructure capacity. Coastal protection and institutional capacity are also significant concerns, alongside the financial sustainability of water and sanitation systems.

Delta cooperation since 2011

Since 2011, the Netherlands has engaged in various projects through the delta cooperation, focusing on water governance, drainage systems, coastal protection, and social inclusion. The impact of climate change, particularly the increased risk of cyclones and the aftermath of cyclone Idai in 2019, has catalysed significant developments.

Real-world impact and co-creation

Maarten Gischler, delta coordinator and senior water advisor at BZ, reflected on the cooperation journey, highlighting the shift from isolated projects to a more integrated approach in Beira, focusing on real-world impacts and co-creation with the local government institutions and communities.

“In the Netherlands, we live in a world of master plans, feasibility studies and projects. People in Beira, especially the poorer people that are inexistent on any map or registered in any administration, live in the real world. A world in which they sleep on the table during territorial rains. During the past thirteen years of the partnership with Mozambique, and specifically with Beira, we have made progress in ensuring that 250,000 individuals will sleep safely during severe weather events. But assembling the puzzle piece by piece with governments, businesses, NGOs, and the local community has refined our approach to working with and for the people of Beira. It’s about co-creating with and for people. Ultimately, our work is about people. And that is something we should remind ourselves of every day.”

It’s about usage, not about quality

The Beira Masterplan, criticised for being more of a “shopping list” than a strategic guide, underscores the need for a coherent strategy that aligns various initiatives. “The shopping list has been on the table for the last 13 years. So it’s not in the quality of the plan, but in the use of the plan that makes it relevant.”

200 million dollars of new water infrastructure

The city of Beira, comparable in size to Rotterdam, faces the challenge of operating and maintaining new water infrastructure worth 200 million dollars in the coming 3 years, with a municipal annual budget of 0.3% of Rotterdam’s annual budget. Community involvement in climate change awareness, maintaining drainage systems, and financial sustainability through improved local revenue generation are crucial in sustainable development of these infrastructures.

Focus points Delta cooperation in Beira

Summarising, the main focus points of the Netherlands-Mozambique cooperation in Beira have been:

• Climate resilience: Enhancing the city’s resilience to climate change, particularly in preparing for and responding to cyclones and flooding.
• Water governance: Improving water management systems, including drainage, to prevent flooding and ensure sustainable water use.
• Social inclusion: Engaging local communities in the maintenance and decision-making processes related to urban infrastructure, ensuring that interventions are inclusive and beneficial to all, especially the marginalised informal sector.
• Nature-based Solutions (NBS): Implementing NBS for coastal protection and urban water management, favouring ecological solutions over traditional concrete barriers.
• Capacity building: Strengthening local institutions and building the capacity of local actors to manage and sustain the implemented projects.
  Financial sustainability: Enhancing local revenue generation mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of infrastructure investments and maintenance.

Promising opportunities for future cooperation

Some promising opportunities for future cooperation and business can be found in:

• Integrated planning: Ensuring that all interventions are part of an integrated master plan that is realistic, strategic, and adaptable to changing circumstances. This plan should bridge the gap between formal and informal sectors and consider the city’s overall ecological and socio-economic context.
• Community engagement: Deepening community involvement not just in implementation but also in planning and decision-making processes. This can enhance the sense of ownership and ensure that projects are more attuned to the needs of the residents.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Establishing robust mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the impact of various projects. This can provide valuable feedback, allow for course corrections, and ensure that the initiatives deliver the intended benefits.
• Financial models: Developing innovative financial models that can support the sustainability of infrastructure projects, including exploring public-private partnerships, microfinancing, and other funding mechanisms.
• Knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices not only within Mozambique but also with other countries facing similar challenges. This can foster innovation and provide new insights into effective climate resilience strategies.
• Scalability and replication: Ensuring that successful projects are scalable and replicable in other parts of Mozambique and similar contexts, thereby maximising the impact of the cooperation

In the last session ‘round table discussion on opportunities for the Dutch water sector’, many of the participants shared their experiences on several of the issues that were discussed at the Mozambique water sector meeting, mainly on working with local communities and private sector. During lunch many of the discussions continued and information on each other’s activities in Mozambique were shared and opportunities for collaboration were explored.

The Water Balance Pilot project is an initiative of Henk Ovink, the Netherlands’ first Special Envoy for International Water Affairs. It is funded by Partners for Water, in partnership with the city of Chennai, UN-Habitat and Resilience Cities Network and supported by the UN High-level Panel on water, amongst others.

Blueprint for the city

The project serves as a model for how a city can become water-secure using Nature-based Solutions. It harvests rainwater and treats wastewater before recharging into the underground aquifer through infiltration gardens. Eva Pfannes, Director of Ooze Architects and Urbanists and team leader of City of 1000 Tanks shared details about the project: “The Water Balance Pilot project is the  first example that will reach its full potential when replicated in institutions across the city. In parallel, we plan to scale it up through a flagship project in Mylapore.”

Partners for Water

Partners for Water is honoured to make the Water Balance Pilot project financially possible. The objectives of the Partners for Water programme are to encourage knowledge sharing, innovation and an integrated approach. Through these efforts, we strive to contribute to the expansion of sustainable solutions that enhance water security. The City of 1000 Tanks seamlessly exemplifies these principles. The pilot initiative has gathered valuable knowledge and experience that can be harnessed in scaling up this innovative solution across various parts of the city and potentially beyond.

Dual-aquifer recharge wells

Generated by the 300 residents, the Water Balance Pilot project collects 27,000 litres of wastewater per day which is then treated in two stages: the first stage is where two underground anaerobic tanks, rich with microorganisms, work on the pollutants to achieve 80% of the treatment capacity and the following stage is where the water is then allowed to flow through created wetlands with helophytic plants enabling aerobic treatment. No toxic chemicals are used and the project is completely supported by solar power. Bad odours and mosquito breeding are also eliminated.

The treated water is then released to the ground through infiltration gardens. This minimum-maintenance project is equipped to harvest rainwater during Chennai’s short and intense monsoons. Dual-aquifer recharge wells collect, store, filter and finally recharge rainwater to the shallow and deep aquifers.

What is next?

To scale-up the Water Balance project to other parts of the city, the City of 1000 Tanks-team aims to involve the government such as the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Greater Chennai Corporation for the greater good. In order to make Chennai water secure, they also welcome the participation from resident welfare associations, vulnerable communities, CSR partnerships and institutions.

Kick-off meeting

The project teams submitted applications for the second round of Partner for Waters’ subsidy scheme and all received the good news in May 2023 that their application’s had been approved. They also received an invitation for a special kick-off meeting at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) in The Hague on June 15th.

At that event, project team members met the RVO employees behind Partners for Water and everyone celebrated the beginning of their respective initiatives. Additionally, they had the opportunity to showcase their innovative solutions and to hear about the ten projects that had received Partners for Water subsidies in the first round of funding, in December 2022. Managers of these first-round subsidised projects were there in attendance to share their experiences to date.

RVO employees and team members of projects that successfully applied for subsidy in the second Partners for Water funding round.

Which organisations are behind the innovative pilot projects and feasibility studies that were granted subsidies? What are their aims? And how do the projects carry out their objectives?

Are you interested in the next subsidy round?

The intake interviews for 2024’s first round of the Partners for Water subsidy scheme just closed. However, a second subsidy round will open in July. To be eligible, you can apply now for the mandatory intake interview. For more information, you can visit the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) website.