Water management system in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a National Committee consisting of the representatives from various associations dealing with water and Professionals under the ministry of agriculture decide the national water policies. The policies are implemented in the local area by the Water Boards and the Municipalities. Municipalities are responsible only for domestic water supply in the urban area. The state government has the role of a coordinating, agency between the central government and the Water Boards. Water Boards having its members from four core groups i.e. residents, farmers, building and property owners and industries are responsible for water management activities. Every course of actions including the tax to be levied are decided by the Water Boards governing body. Government does not intetfere in any matter of the Water Boards. The top priorities of the government are safety of the people from floods and maintenance of ecosystem by controlling water quantity and quality. People pay for the pollution of water also. Polluted water is purified in the purification plants and then disposed in the canals. This article has been written based on training: “Institutions for water management” in the Netherlands.