Dutch experts to assist in water woes

TO MARK World Water Day, The Netherlands, which has a long-standing collaboration with South Africa in addressing water related issues, has pledged its support to assist initiatives to solve the country’s current water crisis.

The Dutch will collaborate with the Water Institute of Southern Africa (Wisa) at the 2018 Biennial Conference and Exhibition, so that Dutch water experts can engage with the current challenges in South Africa to co-create sustainable solutions together.

“We look forward to partnering with Wisa in their mission to manage, preserve, treat and provide water. The Netherlands has expertise for solutions which addresses water efficiency and water re-use, for example in agriculture and industry, as well as water monitoring, groundwater management and reservoir maintenance.

“We need to do more with less water, and we need to do this together. By building long-term partnerships with Dutch experts and local key stakeholders and putting the local context at the core of all conversations, we aim to create real long-term change that is locally sustainable,” The Netherlands Consul General, Bonnie Horbach, said.

Previous water initiatives undertaken by The Netherlands in South Africa include the Kingfisher programme, where the Dutch Water Authorities worked together with South Africa on integrated water resource management.

The Netherlands also engages the water sector through the Centre of Expertise which they fund, and a partnership between The Netherlands and the municipalities of South Africa that aims to strengthen the local urban water sector by matching Dutch knowledge and technology with urban water management needs.

The Netherlands is also collaborating with the provincial government on the development of the Franschhoek Water Hub, which will bring the government, private sector, civil society and knowledge institutions together in co-creating solutions for local water problems.

The City of The Hague and the City of Cape Town are members of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, where cities partner with others around the world to become more resilient to social and economic challenges.

They are currently identifying possible collaboration avenues in ensuring ongoing resilience building of their respective cities. – Staff Reporter