The public sector
Within the Netherlands, government ministries, regional and local administrations, district water boards and drinking water supply companies are all actively involved in water management. The Dutch government has demonstrated its firm commitment to the international effort to ensure water security by bilateral agreements (mostly in the form of Memoranda of Understanding) with other countries. One of the most important elements of these agreements is the creation of an institutional and legal framework in relation to water, guaranteeing access to water supplies, the transparency of the management of water systems, and full participation of all citizens in decision making. Read more about the public sector...

Knowledge institutes
The Netherlands has developed a unique and coherent knowledge infrastructure, comprising prominent government and private research centres, technological and educational institutes (such as Alterra, UNESCO-IHE, ITC, RIZA, WL|Delft Hydraulics) and several universities. These institutes carry out a broad range of basic and applied research in fields directly and indirectly related to water, from hydraulic engineering to integrated water management. The institutes have formed close connections with internationally oriented private sector companies. Dutch research is also internationally orientated and the institutes have built up considerable networks and experience in water-related issues at international level.
Lessons learned abroad have also been successfully applied in the Netherlands. For example, the results of research into the natural processes of undisturbed water systems (which are now rare in the Netherlands), are used as points of reference for the ecological restoration of water systems. The Dutch also have considerable experience and expertise in institutional capacity building for the water sector. For more than four decades, educational institutes in the Netherlands have been offering courses to international students, resulting in an extensive network of professionals and ambassadors in the field of water management.

In 2007, the Delta Institute will start, it is a worldwide authoritative institute for questions about living and working in delta areas. This institute joins the research of WL|Delft Hydraulics and GeoDelft, completed with TNO-NITG and parts of Rijkswaterstaat (DWW, RIKZ and RIZA). For long term study also the technical university of Delft and the university of Utrecht will be involved. The institute intends to join knowledge of delta technology aiming at vulnerable polders or areas sensitive for flooding. To keep delta areas liveable is focussed at topics as building on slack ground, climate change, coast maintaining and handling water nuisance.

Technological First Class Institute Water Technology
The Dutch expertise in the field of water is extensive and besides that, water is also of economic importance for the Netherlands. Therefore the Innovation platform pointed out water as a key area of the Dutch economy. In this innovation programme proposals were made to extend the Dutch position in the field of water technology:

• Development of a Technological First Class Institute Water Technology 
• Further development of technology towards applicable products 
• Better implementation of innovation technology on the home market (including risk coverage) 
• Export of tools

The steering committee Water Technology developed the innovation programme and monitors the implementation and asked the Dutch government, specifically the Ministry of Economic Affairs, for contributions to the execution of the programme. The NWP initiates, coordinates and facilitates the whole process.

Non-governmental organizations
Dutch non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have a solid institutional and financial base, as well as a strong international focus. NGOs are involved in international decision making on water, through their participation in UN organisations, sessions of the Global Biodiversity Forum (with inputs from the World Conservation Union, IUCN), the Ramsar Bureau and Convention, and the World Water Forum. Dutch NGOs are combining their efforts on water matters to reach their goals. Within the last decade, Dutch development organisations have been involved in many international water management projects, including irrigation, dam-building and capacity building, in cooperation with the Dutch government. International umbrella organisations are being encouraged to establish their headquarters in the Netherlands. For example, with support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, the international NGOs Wetland International and Bird Life International are now based in Wageningen. Their presence has not only helped to improve the interactions between Dutch ministries, knowledge institutes and NGOs, but has also strengthened the effectiveness and scope of Dutch protection strategies.

The private sector
The private Dutch water sector is formed by numerous companies involved in hydraulic engineering, dredging, manufacturing and construction projects, industrial water supply, consulting firms and banks. Many of these companies have an international focus, particularly those involved in technology development and implementation in the areas of hydraulic engineering, water supply and purification. Dutch expertise in other sub-sectors is also well known, including land reclamation and port construction, water works, storm surge barriers and innovative flexible dikes and coastal protection. Desalination and water purification technology (such as membranes) are well known. Some Dutch companies are at the forefront in the development of innovative technologies for civil engineering on water. Technologies that proved themselves in the Netherlands and abroad can be used in other areas and are beneficial for solving world water stress.

The Dutch water sector offers a unique combination of public sector, knowledge institutes, NGOs and private sector expertise, working in partnership for water.