2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
European Union of Water Management Associations
1996 - 2021
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
European Union of Water Management Associations
1996 - 2021
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Foreword
David Riddington
I
n 1995 Belgium were due to have a General Election. The polls said that the Green Party would do well. They had little knowledge of drainage matters and were promoting some policies that would not help. The Belgian drainage authorities invited the Chairmen and Chief Engineers from all the drainage authorities in Europe to come to a meeting with the Green Party candidates to explain the issues and concerns. The various drainage authority Chairmen all addressed the meeting in the morning, and the Engineers did the same in the afternoon. I was pleased to represent ADA, supported very ably by David Noble. On the way home by train, we agreed that all the countries seemed to be experiencing the same problems through a lack of political understanding. We all had various duties, covering land drainage, flood defence, sewage and drinking water, and we all had similar worries.
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David and I decided to suggest an annual meeting of all interested drainage authorities in Europe and we managed to convene the first meeting on 21st May 1996, held in the offices of the River Aa Drainage Authority in St Omer, Northern France. It set a welcome scene for future events with everyone coming together for a 2-day meeting and a site visit. The next meeting was held in June 1997 at Louth in Lincolnshire, England. On the first day over a working lunch, we debated the rules. There was to be no competition between countries. We agreed that we would only deal with countries whose drainage authorities had a certain degree of independence from state control and politics so sadly, that meant that Denmark had to be dismissed from the group! That is when we also decided that the organisation was to be called EUWMA. If we had known about Brexit we might have thought of something else.
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EUWMA
We learnt many interesting facts about each others’ areas. France, for example had two distinct drainage associations, one in the north and another in the west near La Rochelle, which are now covered by the one, ASA de France. We discovered that Italy has the biggest area of pumped drainage in Europe and so our mutual learning from each other grew. Such was the success of these early gatherings that meetings have gone on every year since and even COVID-19 has not stopped that collaboration with online technology coming to the fore. The sense of family has flourished and with it the commitment to help each other through various issues and concerns which arise in our respective nations. Today, the Northern (wetter) associations benefit from understanding the challenges of the Southern (drier) nations and vice
versa, and above all the camaraderie between us all has gone from strength to strength. I thank you all sincerely for your dedication to our drainage authority network, your collaboration across frontiers, which water and weather does not recognise anyway, and I wish EUWMA every success for the future and its widening influence across the continent.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Foreword Laura Nola
I
n June 1997, I attended my first EUWMA meeting in Louth (UK) representing ANBI, the Italian Association of Drainage and Irrigation Boards. Only in its second year of operation, membership was limited to the UK, France, Belgium, Holland and Italy. From that point and until September 2016 (Frankfurt), I had the pleasure of attending all the various EUWMA meetings held over those 20 years, and witnessing a large part of EUWMA’s life and activities. I have cherished memories of the people I have worked with and the issues which have been addressed over the years and I hope you enjoy me sharing some of those with you all. I also want to pay special tribute to ADA’s David Riddington and David Noble who had the initial vision for EUWMA and boosted its achievements with the creation of a professional forum for knowledge and enthusiasm, but also weaving in the sense of fun and friendship to EUWMA meetings. David Noble was EUWMA’s first Secretary and ADA initially administered EUWMA’s affairs. It was not until 2004 that David passed his position to Rein
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Van der Kluit in the Netherlands and the general administration was handed over to Unie van Waterschappen in Den Haag, where still it is today. Consequently, the yearly EUWMA membership fee passed from £500 to 600 Euros which made things a bit simpler for the majority! Over the years there was a progressive and welcome enlargement of EUWMA as other countries joined with Germany then Spain, Hungary and Portugal and, most recently, I understand that Romania is now involved too. EUWMA members are all National Associations of Water Boards that represent local water management organizations covering 55 million hectares across Europe. However named in each country, these organizations are a mix of private and public bodies, independent from Central or Regional Governments and are independent and self-financing, dealing with drainage, irrigation, protection of the environment and wetlands. EUWMA has always attracted the attention of National Governments and the European Union as reliable organizations keen to challenge as well as promote the implementation of European
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
water policies. Thanks to Unie van Waterschappen back in 2010, EUWMA’s current logo was born for use on all its formal communications and documents. At the same time, the EUWMA website was improved with more information about EUWMA, its goals, and each of its members. In 2014, at the annual meeting in Rome, a new statute was agreed, giving EUWMA the role of being a lobbying organisation to the European Commission. Through the years, EUWMA has delivered many jointly-agreed Declarations not only shared with the EU, but also passed to national governments. These have covered a wide range of subjects including the Common Agricultural Policy and Water frame Directive. Acknowledging the work of EUWMA, the European Commission went on to include EUWMA representation in the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) Group for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
the National Associations that chaired the annual meetings. All the National Associations have always done their best organizing the meetings and the technical visits where we learnt and saw how much passion people have for their professions and the Water Boards of all the Countries. I have had the personal pleasure of working with all the EUWMA Secretaries, David Noble, Rein Van der Kluit, Erik Kraaij, and Albert Vermuë, whose volunteer work has been of fundamental importance for the life and vitality of Euwma.
Finally, I simply want to fondly remember all the people that attended EUWMA meetings and the excellent Presidents of
EUWMA has done so much in these past 25 years and my wish is that the best is still to come !
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Introduction to
EUWMA
European Union of Water Management Associations
T
he European Union of Water Management Associations (EUWMA) represents public, local and regional water management organizations from nine EU member states: Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and most recently Romania has joined as an observing member. EUWMA members are public institutions with legal powers. EUWMA was established in 1996 with the primary aim to increase cooperation between European Water Management Associations, so as to provide relevant information, position papers and policy documents to national governments, the European Commission, the European Parliament and other relevant institutions. In addition, EUWMA promotes the exchange of knowledge and best practices between members. In our view, EU water legislation can only be successful if water is managed at regional level. As water challenges vary in different river basins, solutions should be tailored to local conditions, rather than the ‘one-size-fitsall’ approach often favoured by national government departments.
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Issues The low-lying areas of Europe are under threat from tidal and inland flooding and are dependent on land drainage to sustain land use. They are also often of high environmental value. This value could be detrimentally affected by the management of flood protection and land drainage systems. To this extent the water management organisations in these countries are facing the same issues. Cooperation can benefit these organisations, the countries in which they operate, and wider European interests.
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Objective
Activities
EUWMA members are umbrella organisations in EU member states representing organisations responsible for regional and local water management.
Exchanging views and formulating policies.
EUWMA represents over 8.600 individual organisations, covering around 55 million hectares.
Exchanging proposals to national governments on European issues.
EUWMA aims to increase cooperation between its members, so as to provide information, views, position papers and policy documents to governments, the European Commission, the European Parliament and other institutions.
EUWMA
Considering proposals by the EU and submitting joint proposals.
Keeping members updated on developments. Exchanging administrative and technical information and publications of common interest. Collaboration in research and development. Organising a yearly general meeting and workshops on relevant themes. 9
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EUWMA
Secretaries General of EUWMA
David Noble ADA (1996 – 2003)
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Rein Van der Kluit UvW (2003 – 2008)
Erik Kraaij UvW (2008 – 2015)
Albert Vermuë UvW (2015 – 2020)
Presidents of EUWMA 1996 2003 1997 2004 1998 2005 1999 2006 2000 2007 2001 2008 2002 2009
Meindert Smallenbroek UvW (2020 – )
Andre Delattre
David Riddington
David Riddington
Marc de Smet
Marc de Smet
Sybe Schaap
Ad Segers
Massimo Gargano
Arcangelo Lobianco
Gabor Kuncze
Leenert Cornelius
Hans-Adolf Boie
Andre Delattre
Bernard Grasset
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EUWMA
Technical Officers of EUWMA
Robert Schröder, UvW (2004 - 2010)
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Esther de Boer, UvW (2011 - 2015)
Andres del Campo Henry Cator Gerard Dornboos Jeff Van Looij Massimo Gargano
Jörg Janning, Dieter Staat, DBVW (2008 - 2019) UvW (2016 - )
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Jean-Claude Blanc Andres del Campo Robert Caudwell Robert Caudwell Hein Pieper
Jose Nuncio Hans-Adolf Boie 11
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EUWMA
Member Countries and key people Members Joining
1996
12
United Kingdom
Belgium
France
The Netherlands
1997
Italy
1998
Germany
2004
Spain
2005
Hungary
2011
Portugal
2020
Romania (Observing Member)
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EUWMA
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EUWMA
Belgium Vereniging van Vlaamse Polders en Wateringen (VVPW)
P
olders and wateringen are among the oldest and most characteristic public authorities in Flanders. The first watering is mentioned as early as 1183. According to legislation, their task has been to protect their management area from water surpluses and assure a favourable water regime and hygienic conditions for agriculture. This history shows that agriculture was one of the main interests of polders and wateringen.
vvpw.be
Today, they focus on integrated water resources management, which also includes nature protection, fisheries, tourism and drinking water supply. At present, there are 58 polders and wateringen covering a total area of 323,971 hectares.
No. of Member Bodies:
Polders and wateringen are functional democracies. Stakeholders bear the costs through taxation and have a say in the assembly. This is the triple ‘interest-pay-say’ system.
58 Polders
Key People Involved: Area: 323,971 ha
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Pieter-Jan Taillieu, Dirk Van den Hauwe, Stijn Windey, Ann Dieleman, Jef Van Looy, Herman Martens, Christophe Senden, Katrien Coene
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
France Wateringues (ASA de France)
D
epending on the region of France, the Associations Syndicales Autorisées (ASAs) are responsible for infrastructure for managing excess water, river management, irrigation, drinking water, and erosion control in vineyard areas.
asadefrance.fr
The regulations governing these water authorities are laid down in the Order of 1 July 2004 and the Decree of 3 May 2006, which have replaced the 1865 law and its decree orders. Water authorities have to act according to the environmental code for water management, updated in late 2006.
@asadefrance
Of the 9,000 ASAs around France, 4,000 are water boards. The others are responsible for other activities, such as roads and infrastructure in forests and open countryside.
No. of Member Bodies:
4000 (Water Related)
Area: 555,000ha
In France more than 1,200 ASAs, known in north of France as « Wateringues », have to manage excess water and groundwater in lowland areas. 200 ASAs are responsible for riverbank maintenance. 100 ASAs construct and maintain erosion and flood control works in vineyard areas. More than 2,000 ASAs manage irrigation, half of them with gravity canals, the other half with pumping stations and a network of pipes and culverts. 140 ASAs operate a drinking water network.
Key People Involved:
Andre Delattre, Michel des Accords, Marc Polge, JeanClaude Blanc
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Germany Deutscher Bund der verbandlichen Wasserwirtschaft (DBVW)
T dbvw.de
No. of Member Bodies:
10 Regional Associations and 1850 Wasserwirtschaft
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he DBVW is a registered association in Germany, representing the interest groups responsible for water maintenance, coastal and flood protection, drinking water supply, sewage disposal, etc. DBVW is an amalgamation of ten regional associations that brings together 1,850 Wasserwirtschaft (Water Management Associations), who are corporations of public law with self-administration. The DBVW unites everyone in areas of water management and thus has extensive experience in integrated water management. The members of Wasserwirtschaft, as decentralised public corporations, are municipalities or owners and users of water, or a mixed form combining these stakeholders.
Key People Involved:
Hans-Christian Freiherr von Steinaecker, Leenert Cornelius, Hans-Adolf Boie, Jörg Janning, Michael Constien, Franz-Xaver Kunert, Turgut Pencereci, Godehard Hennies
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EUWMA
V í z g a z d á l k o d á s i Tá r s u l a t o k Országos Szövetségének Hungary Vízgazdálkodási Társulatok Országos Szövetségének (VTOSZ)
T
he VTOSZ was established in 1992 as the national union of water management associations in Hungary. It functions as a spokesman, service provider and employers’ federation for its members. The members of the VTOSZ cover the whole country.
tir.hu
No. of Member Bodies:
82 Water Boards
Area: 100,000 ha
Currently, members of the regional water authorities are farmers, municipalities and cooperatives. They pay a fee for the services delivered by the water board. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture subsidizes the board. A major challenge is to make the water boards self-financing. Due to huge changes in property rights in the past, when land was given back to the original inhabitants by the state, a lot of land has not yet been claimed. Water boards are therefore not able to derive income from these lands. In total, there are 82 regional water authorities in Hungary. Their legal status is described in the 1995 Water Act.
Key People Involved:
Gabor Kuncze, Ferenc Feher,
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EUWMA
Italy Associazione Nazionale Consorzi di gestione e tutela del territorio e acque irrigue (ANBI)
A
lmost all drainage and irrigation Consortia (‘Consorzi di bonifica e irrigazione’) in Italy are members of ANBI, who safeguards their interests at an international, national and local level.
anbi.it
@ANBI_Nazionale
ANBI advises the Consortia on legal, technical, fiscal, environmental, communication issues, etc. ANBI is promoting and participating in European and national projects, engaging associated Consortia for their specific competencies. ANBI is proactively involved with water utilities, agencies and think ranks defending the agricultural water governance and irrigation sector. ANBI is an association, with private legal status.
No. of Member Bodies:
Key People Involved:
141 Drainage and Irrigation Consortia
Area: 17,919,838 ha 18
ANBI represents the Consortia’s interests in relation to the European institutions, the Italian government, parliament, and regional governments, and monitors proposals for legislation affecting them and their activities.
Francesco Vincenzi, Massimo Gargano, Adriano Battilani, Caterina Truglia, Laura Nola,
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EUWMA
Portugal Federação Nacional de Regantes (FENAREG)
F
ENAREG is a nationwide organisation, founded in 2005, which aims to bring together the interests of stakeholders in activities related to water and water management and the agriculture and rural communities. FENAREG is a non-profit private association.
fenareg.pt
No. of Member Bodies:
30 Irrigation Associations
Area: 135,000 ha
Their mission is to contribute to development of national economy and in particular the irrigation water sector, to protect and develop irrigation in general and irrigation projects in particular, to represent the sector to the authorities on matters relating to national and international water resource management, to cooperate with official bodies in planning, developing, implementing and operating irrigation projects, to ensure representation of voluntary organizations and the private sector, to study, promote and defend the interests of the water sector, to coordinate activities of common interest for the water sector, and to organize and maintain services to support technical and functional management activities and interests of the irrigation water sector. Portugal’s irrigation associations represent some 25,000 farmers, managing 35 dams, over 400 km of dykes, 3.000 km of irrigation channels, 86 Pumping Stations, and 6 hydroelectric plants with an annual production capacity of 40 GWh.
Key People Involved:
Jose Nuncio, Carina Arranja
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EUWMA
Romania (Observing Member) Administrația Națională Apele Române (ANAR)
A
NAR is a public institution of national interest, with legal personality which manages the waters of the state public domain and the infrastructure of the National System of Water Management (reservoirs, flood protection dykes, canals, inter basin derivations, water intakes and other works).
rowater.ro
No. of Member Bodies:
11 River Basin Administrations
Area: 23,839,700 ha
ANAR operates on the basis of management and economic autonomy, under coordination of the central public authority for water - Ministry of Waters and Forests. Accordingly, ANAR is an Observing Member of EUWMA. ANAR implements the polices and strategy of quantitative and qualitative management of water resources at national level. ANAR’s structure includes 11 River Basin Administrations (with legal personality) structured into 41 Water Management Systems (without legal personality), the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (with legal personality), and the StâncaCostești Complex Exploitation. ANAR has responsible for: flood protection through water management works, management and operation of surface and groundwater resources, unified management of water resources and sustainable development of water resources, and performing the tasks resulting from the implementation of international treaties on waters including the elaboration of the River Basin Management Plans and of the Flood Risk Management Plans under the Water Framework Directive.
Key People involved: Sorin Rîndasu Beuran 20
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EUWMA
Spain Federación Nacional de Comunidades de Regantes (FENACORE)
F
ENACORE is a non-profit association, founded in 1955, which brings together organisations dedicated to water management for irrigation, from surface or groundwater.
fenacore.org
@FenacoreOficial
No. of Member Bodies:
400 Irrigators’ Communities
FENACORE aims to combine the efforts and work of all those who work in the Spanish irrigation sector to defend their legitimate interests and rights to use water. It was involved in drafting the Spanish Water Act and its associated regulations, the National River Basin Management Plan, and the National Irrigation Plan. The federation was also involved in reforming the regulations of the Spanish Water Act in relation to water prices, drafting the Hydrological Planning Instruction, the exemption of reservoir taxes and the electrical tax for irrigation and promoting the Water Framework Directive in Integrated Water Resources Management in river basins.
Key People Involved:
Andres Del Campo, Juan Valero de Palma, David Hernandez Gomez
Area: 2,000,000 ha 21
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
The Netherlands Unie Van Waterschappen (UVW)
U
nie van Waterschappen, internationally known as Dutch Water Authorities, is an international organisation comprising 21 regional water authorities (Waterschappen) in the Netherlands. It promotes the interests of the regional water authorities at national and international level and shares a European office in Brussels with Vewin, the Dutch association of drinking water companies.
uvw.nl
@waterschappen
Local and regional water management in the Netherlands is largely the responsibility of regional water authorities, which are decentralised and financially self-sufficient public authorities. Regional water authorities are legally embedded in the overall democratic structure of the Netherlands.
Key People Involved:
Erik Kraaij, Albert Vermue, Dieter Staat, Gerard Doornbos, Peter Glas, Esther de Boer, Hein Pieper, Jacques Leenan, Adrian Segers, Meindert Smallenbroek No. of Member Bodies:
21 Waterscappen
Area: 4,154,300 ha
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EUWMA
The United Kingdom Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA)
A
ada.org.uk
@ada_updates
No. of Member Bodies:
112 IDBs
Area: 1,200,000 ha
DA was established in 1937 to watch over and support the interests of drainage authorities at national and parliamentary level, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and discussions, and disseminating information of common interest. ADA is a limited company, with around 230 members, representing all forms of water level management authorities from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs). IDBs are local public bodies that operate under Act of Parliament that manage water levels in lowland areas where there is a special need for drainage. IDBs undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property, and manage water levels for agricultural and environmental needs within their drainage districts. They play a key role in reducing flood risk to over 600,000 people and nearly 900,000 properties. They operate and maintain over 500 pumping stations, 22,000 km of watercourse, 175 automatic weed screen cleaners and numerous sluices and weirs. IDBs work closely with other flood risk management authorities: the national Environment Agency, which concentrates on the management of main rivers, sea and tidal defences, and local authorities, which regulate watercourses, surface and groundwater in other areas.
Key People Involved:
Lord De Ramsey, David Riddington, David Noble, Jean Venables, Henry Cator, David Sisson, Ian Moodie, Robert Caudwell, Innes Thomson 23
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EUWMA
Formative Year 1995 Symposium of Local & Regional Water Management
22 September 1995, Wachtebeke, BE Hosted by VVPW. Attended by ADA (UK), UvW (NL), Union Des Wateringues Du Nord et Du Pas De Calais (FR), DBVW (DE). Representatives of water management organisations from European countries were invited to present papers setting out practices to provide flood and water level management services. Discussions highlight the common interests of those national and regional associations that represent those bodies providing water management services and there was a mutual desire for future liaison. ADA offers to facilitate a European “club” of water management associations to circulate information to member countries and help organise annual meetings in member states.
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David Noble, General Secretary, ADA presenting to the Symposium
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Left to right: Hans Baron von Steinaecker, Secretary General, DBVW; David Riddington, Chairman, ADA; Marc De Smet, Chairman, VVPW, Andre Delattre, Chairman, Union of Wateringues Nord Pas De Calais; Ad Segers, Chairman, UvW
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
1996
President
Annual Meeting
21 May 1996, Chateau Tilques, St Omer, FR Founding meeting of the ‘Union of European Flood Control & Water Level Management Associations’, confirmed the objectives and constitution of the Union.
St Omer Declaration
The Wise use of Wetlands Delegates discuss formative European legislation covering wetland areas, and highlight that the continuance of local management and subsidiarity should be central. A principle that has remained true to EUWMA members.
Visit: By boat to the Marais Audomarois, a historic wetland of 700km of channels surrounding St Omer where human water level management has mixed with nature for thirteen centuries.
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Andre Delattre
2 5 Ye a r s o f
1997
EUWMA
President
Annual Meeting
24 June 1997, Louth, UK ANBI (IT) join the Union. Meeting confirms that the Union would confine itself to submissions based on the common ground on key issues between member nations where wide support could be given.
David Riddington
Delegates discuss: the European Commission’s proposal for a Framework Directive for Water; control on development in floodplains; and the balance between land drainage and nature conservation. ‘European Union of Water Management Associations’ (EUWMA) unanimously adopted as the union’s name during the course of the dinner following the annual meeting.
Visit: The annual meeting coincides with the ADA Demonstration 1997. A field exhibition of equipment used in river, flood, and water level management hosted by the Alford, Louth & Skegness Drainage Boards in Skegness.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
1998
President
Annual Meeting
22 June 1998, Kasteel Ter Ham, Steenokkerzeel, Brussels, BE DBVW (DE) join the Union. Delegates support the management on a river basin (hydrological catchment) being the basis for the formative European Water Framework Directive, but must not exclude more locally accountable water management units. Delegates discuss the European Habitats Directive and the disposal to adjacent land of dredging mud.
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Marc de Smet
2 5 Ye a r s o f
1999
EUWMA
President
Annual Meeting
21-22 June 1999, Gemeenlandshuis of Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, Leiden, NL With the Water Framework Directive closer to the statute book, EUWMA members want to ensure local water management authorities would be excluded.
Ad Segers
Delegates discuss the control of invasive vegetation in channels, with the Dutch and British highlighting concerns with Hydrocotyle ranunculoides.
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EUWMA
2000 Water Framework Directive WFD adopted by the European Parliament on 30 June 2000.
Annual Meeting
25 September 2000, Bologna, IT EUWMA broadly commends objectives of the WFD, but setting standards for the ecological status of rivers must consider the need for flood defence and channel maintenance. Discussion focuses on the funding needed by nations to meet the requirements of the new Directive, with concerns that new investment may not immediately be forthcoming. EUWMA writes to the European Commission expressing concern regarding the spread of invasive aquatic plants and suggesting better control on their import and sale.
Visit: To the pumping station Acque basse at Codigoro, managed by the Consorzio II Circondario de Ferrara, which drains an area of 50,000 ha into the Volano branch of the River Po.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
President
Arcangelo Lobianco
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
2001
President
Annual Meeting
3-4 September 2001, Bremen, DE EUWMA prepares a statement for circulation to national governments highlighting the merits of a decentralised approach to the delivery of the WFD in Member States. Delegates agree that controls over dredging need to remain practical and justifiable in consideration of risks and costs.
Visit: To pumping stations and coastal flood defence embankment work in Lower Saxony.
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Leenert Cornelius
2 5 Ye a r s o f
2002
EUWMA
President
Position Statement
February 2002, EUWMA submission to the European Commission recommends that the considerable knowledge of competent functional bodies should be embraced within the implementation process of the WFD.
Andre Delattre
Annual Meeting
9 September 2002, Lille, FR EUWMA writes to the European Commission, making the case for artificial and heavily modified watercourses to be exempt from comparison with ‘natural ecological status’, to prevent changes that put at risk the function and unique habitats of those watercourses.
Visit: Organised by the Union des Wateringues du Nord et du Pas de Calais.
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EUWMA
2003
President
Annual Meeting
8-9 September 2003, St Ives, UK Extended discussion on the dredging of watercourses and management of dredged material. EUWMA secretariat transfers from ADA to UvW.
Visit: To Lord Leicester’s Holkham
Estate, North Norfolk, learning about habitat enhancements for high water level grazing areas, seaward development of sand dunes and a large winter storage reservoir for irrigation, and local sea defences at Wells-next-the-Sea.
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David Riddington
Workshop: 30-31 October 2003, EUWMA Workshop on ‘Transboundary river basins’, Doetichem, NL Workshop highlights need for effective working relations, shared operational structures, and finance for small transboundary catchments.
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2004
EUWMA
President
Annual Meeting
13-14 September 2004, Kasteel Ter Ham, Steenokkerzeel, Brussels, BE FENACORE (ES) joins the Union. Delegates discuss EUWMA’s position regarding a proposed European Floods Directive.
Marc de Smet
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
2005
President
Workshop: 19 April 2005, EUWMA Dredging Workshop, Leiden, NL
Annual Meeting
12-13 September 2005, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Edam, NL VTOSZ (HU) joins the Union. Irrigation added to EUWMA constitution. EUWMA website launches (euwma.org)
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Sybe Schaap
2 5 Ye a r s o f
2006
EUWMA
President
Annual Meeting
18-19 September 2006, Padua, IT Extended discussion on drought management and prevention.
Visit: To the Consorzio di Bonifica
Massimo Gargano
Bacchiglione.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
2007
President
Annual Meeting
10-11 September 2007, Budapest, HU Meeting focuses on theme of ‘excess water’, learning more about how each country tackles flood risk.
Gabor Kuncze
Visit: To the Water Board of Dunaújváros, around Adony, beside the River Danube. This ‘puszta’ (a very flat plain) is drained only by gravity with falls of just 15cm over a kilometre. Delegates visit a csárda, a reminder of Hungary’s historical links with horsemanship.
Floods Directive
Adopted by European Parliament on 26 November 2007.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
2008
EUWMA
President
Position Statement
May 2008, EUWMA submission to the European Commission on water scarcity and droughts.
Annual Meeting
Hans-Adolf Boie
8-9 September 2008, Potsdam, DE
Visit: To the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research within Michelson House, part of historic science campus on Potsdam's Telegrafenberg.
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EUWMA
2009 Conference: April 2009. EUWMA
presents at the European Commission conference on River Basin Management Plans.
Annual Meeting
31 August 2009, Bordeaux, FR In depth discussion on the safeguard of the wetlands.
Bordeaux Declaration
Public water management by European regional water authorities. The Declaration identifies the contemporary challenges for water management across Europe, explaining how water boards can assist, and how national governments / European Union can facilitate them.
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EUWMA
President
Bernard Grasset
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
2010 Annual Meeting
9-10 September 2010, Valencia, ES
Visit: To the irrigation area of the Acequia Real del Jucar. Viewed a meeting of the historic “Tribunal de las Aguas de Valencia” in front of the Valencia Cathedral. This court has settled disputes arising from the use of irrigation water by farmers in Valencia since at least the 10th Century, and consequently has UNESCO Cultural Heritage status.
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EUWMA
President
Andres del Campo
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EUWMA
2011 Annual Meeting
5-6 September 2011, Cambridge, UK FENAREG (PO) joins the Union.
Cambridge Declaration
Common Agriculture Policy The Declaration presents a common position on the importance of water management in the reform of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy.
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Visit: To the Fens, England’s most
extensive lowland. This included the Middle Level Commissioners’ newly commissioned St Germans Pumping Station, the largest pumping station in the UK, and to a heritage pumping station museum near Ely.
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EUWMA
President
Henry Cator
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EUWMA
2012 EC Meeting: 26 January 2012, EUWMA delegation discusses the Blueprint for Water and WFD Fitness Check with the European Commission in Brussels.
Annual Meeting
3-4 September 2012, Boxtel, NL
Boxtel Declaration
European Innovation Partnership on Water The declaration advocates the European Unions flagship water project taking a bottomup approach to identifying the challenges to be addressed, and focusing on cross links within society, such as energy and water, food security and water, agriculture and water.
Visit: Tour of the flood and water management projects of the Waterschap De Dommel.
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President
Gerard Dornboos
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EUWMA
2013
President
Annual Meeting
2-3 September 2013, Bruges, BE Presentations on European Innovation Partnership for Water and the Water & Energy Advanced Management for Irrigation (WEAM4i). Jeff Van Looij
Bruges Declaration On stakeholder participation in regional and local water management The declaration sets out that water boards’ must be involved by Member States’ in shaping water policy solutions, recognising that water is best managed on a catchment basis.
Visit: To the Thorntonbank Wind Farm, Belgium’s first offshore wind turbines.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
2014
EUWMA
President
Annual Meeting
15-16 September 2014, Rome, IT Reports from three European Innovation Partnership for Water projects involving EUWMA members. Workshop on efficiency and innovation in irrigation.
Massimo Gargano
New EUWMA statutes agreed.
Visit: To the Mazzocchio Drainage Plant,
Pontinia, run by the Consorzio Agro Pontino. The area, previously known as the ‘Pontine Marshes’, was reclaimed in the 1930s through 300km of canals, along with new roads and towns.
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EUWMA
2015 Conference: 24 March 2015, 4th
European Water Conference organised by the European Commission. Albert Vermuë participates on behalf of EUWMA in discussion on integration of the WFD.
Annual Meeting
7-8 September 2015, Lisbon, PO New EUWMA logo and website launched. Workshop on the efficient use of water in irrigation. Presentations by Portugal’s former Secretary of State for Rural Development and the University of Lisbon.
Visit: To the Irrigation Association of Leziria Grande of Vila Franca de Xira covering 10,000 hectares of irrigated land east of the River Tagus, north of Lisbon.
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EUWMA
President
Jose Nuncio
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EUWMA
2016 Mid-Term Meeting
19-20 May 2016, Peterborough, UK Meeting coincided with ADA’s Floodex 2016 exhibition. EUWMA’s first technical mid-term meeting focused on the themes of the Water Framework Directive, the WaterEnergy Nexus, and Innovation in water management.
Visit: Hosted by North Level District
IDB, to the Fens looking at joint working between the IDB and Environment Agency, and to the Nene Washes, a historic washland managed for flood storage and nature conservation.
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2016 Annual Meeting
5-6 September2016, Frankfurt, DE Received a presentation from the Executive Secretary of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) about the WFD and Europe’s major rivers.
Frankfurt Declaration
Water Framework Directive The declaration supports the objectives of the WFD and seeks to: extend the time period for the delivery of good status/potential beyond 2027; move beyond the 'one out all out' principal that holds back improvements in water management for some lower condition watercourses; and better define ‘heavily modified water bodies’ to reflect their cultural and societal importance.
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EUWMA
President
Visit: Water and flood management in the Rhine Valley. Including the Ingelheim Polder that helps combine productive agriculture and nature conservation alongside 4.5 million m3 of storage capacity to reduce flood risk to towns downstream within Rhineland Palatinate. Hans-Adolf Boie
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EUWMA
2017 EC Meeting: 2 March 2017, EUWMA delegation meet with European Commission Environment Directorate on better ambitions for Water Framework Directive.
Mid-Term Meeting
23-24 May 2017, Dithmarschen, DE Sharing knowledge and ideas around managing future water and energy needs in water management, boosting energy efficiency, and renewable energy production.
Visit: To DHSV Dithmarschen’s energy
management projects, generating electricity via two 3 megawatt wind turbines, replacing diesel with electric pumps, and utilising ‘smartgrid’ technology within pumping stations. Also visiting the foundry of pump manufacturer Koesters and the colossal Eidersperrwerk tidal barrage.
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2017 Annual Meeting
4-5 September 2017, Pont du Gard, Avignon, FR
Avignon Declaration Water Energy Nexus
The Declaration recognises that climate change causes an increase of energy needs by Europe’s water boards, requiring a paradigm shift towards Water and Energy Advanced Management (WEAM). Water boards can contribute by: producing more renewable energy, providing climate mitigation, and integrating energy efficiency solutions in water management.
Visit: To see water management in
Provence. A pressure irrigation project of the Canal De Carpentras, the largest ASA devoted to water transfer for irrigation in France. A partnership addressing groundwater in the grasslands of the Crau, the ancient confluence of the Durance and Rhône, which is fed by a historic system of small irrigation canals.
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EUWMA
President
Jean-Claude Blanc
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EUWMA
2018 Mid-Term Meeting
23-24 May 2018, Montpellier, FR Detailed discussion on the financing of local water management across Europe.
Visit: To the ASA de Canal du Gignac supplying water from the River Hérault.
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2018 Annual Meeting
10-11 September 2018, Cordoba, SP Received a presentation on the modernisation of irrigation systems in Spain, creating success for nature and society.
Cordoba Declaration
Public Financing of Water Management The Declaration recognises the variation in local funding that Europe’s water boards receive. Highlights the importance of continued public support through regional, national and/or European funding, and need to boost invest to support challenges from climate change, water-energy nexus, and urbanisation.
Visit: To the San Rafael de Navallana water dam and to the Irrigators Community Genil-Genil Cabra.
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EUWMA
President
Andres del Campo
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EUWMA
2019 Mid-Term Meeting
15-16 May 2019, Brussels, BE Meeting organised by UvW Brussels Office to coincided with European Union Green Week events.
Annual Meeting
9-10 September 2019, York, UK Detailed discussion on topic of multifunctional water management across Europe. Discussion regarding membership following United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
Visit: To the Humber Estuary, hosted
by Ouse & Humber Drainage Board, showing their Laxton Pumping Station and a demonstration of watercourse and estuary flood embankment maintenance. Also to the Haltemprice Flood Alleviation Schemes, a major project to reduce surface water flood risk surrounding the city of Hull.
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EUWMA
President
Robert Caudwell
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EUWMA
2020 Mid-Term Meeting
21 June 2020, Remote meeting Showcases examples of multifunctional water management across Europe.
Annual Meeting
16-17 November 2020, Remote meeting EUWMA constitution amended to enable organisations from non-EU European countries to become members, and enable observing organisations to participate in EUWMA where they do not meet membership criteria. ANAR (RO) joins the Union as an Observing Member. Meeting focuses attention on climate adaptation by water boards.
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2 5 Ye a r s o f
2021
EUWMA
President
Mid-Term Meeting
5 May 2021, Remote meeting COVID-19 recovery. Several members were trying to make sure water and irrigation management get a role within member states’ plans under the European Union’s recovery funding. Discussed options for climate adaption within pumped catchments.
Hein Pieper
Agreed to prepare a EUWMA declaration on the link between climate adaption efforts and climate mitigation demands.
Annual Meeting
6-7 September, Vinkeveen, NL
Visit: Climate adaptation field trip to
sandy soils in the region of Amersfoort.
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The Future of EUWMA
A
fter publication of European governments the IPCC report either through the in August, I read European Union or direct John Englander’s blog to National Governments “Disaster by Degrees” and their agencies. which very eloquently and simply summarised We have the expertise in the crucial aspects of the our EUWMA partnership report. Global temperature to present solutions that is already 1.2 degrees are costed and set out the warmer than pre-industrial benefits to communities, temperatures. Temperature and to address the pressing rise is now accelerating, problems we all face. Robert Caudwell and our collective current efforts at mitigation are In my experience, not sufficient. At current trends we could Governments tend to react to events be facing global temperature rises of 3 rather than being proactive. If we to 4 degrees by the end of this century, continue to just react, it will be too late with many of the impacts affecting water to avert the significant effects of climate availability and flooding from coastal, change, and I believe EUWMA should fluvial and pluvial events. expand its horizons to work with other organisations across Europe to achieve I hope that the IPCC report stimulates the aims I have set out above. everyone to realise that we must act now to avert a catastrophic rise in global The pandemic has made some of the new temperatures causing droughts, floods alliances we wished to create difficult if and sea level rise on a scale we cannot not impossible, but I am confident that adapt to. Governments across the world Hein Pieper and the Dutch Presidency talk about needing action, but I see little of EUWMA will follow through with the concrete evidence of policies that will creation of those alliances, as we look to a mitigate CO2 emissions and adapt to the thriving future for EUWMA. impacts we are already seeing. I believe EUWMA can and must play a part going forward, offering solutions to
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Robert Caudwell EUMWA President 19/20/21
2 5 Ye a r s o f
EUWMA
Our Presidents’ Views
T
he management of In recent years, water the water system is quality has increasingly regulated differently become affected by water in all European countries quantity. Climate change that are united in EUWMA, has caught up with us. mostly on a local and The consequences of the voluntary basis. This is a increasingly extreme great asset. At that level, weather are causing major responsibility is borne for damage everywhere. the water system in an area Harvests are lost, the soil based on dependence on is sometimes irreparably this water system. Most damaged. Technical organizations are related adaptation to climate Hein Pieper to agriculture or consist change is an almost of farmers. They are impossible task, the impact directly dependent on the quality of the is too great and too unpredictable for water for their animals or their products. that. It is good that Pope Francis in his Their ground-relatedness is groundencyclical 'Laudato si' calls for a different connectedness. way of thinking/living: an integral ecology. He emphasizes relationality and mutual In recent decades, the water quality in these service as the starting point for our thinking countries has deteriorated drastically. This and acting. This cooperation is a solid was and is a major concern for the various foundation of the EUWMA community. organizations. The arrival of the EU Water We will try to help and support each other Framework Directive was the reason to join from our EUWMA network to limit the forces to exchange and strengthen learning damage and try to adapt to climate change. experiences. This was done on a voluntary Our interconnectedness will grow and basis and by “grass-roots” organizations. In intensify in the coming years. As EUWMA this way, a network of mutual cooperation organizations we feel responsible for our has grown and more than that, it has led to own local living environment as well as solidarity and friendship across our borders. for the greater good of our mother earth. Not even Brexit has broken these. As I take We feel responsible for the common good over from Robert Caudwell, I sincerely because we are a part of the common good. thank him for having steered EUWMA through the turbulence of pandemic and Hein Pieper European politics of the last two years and I am encouraged that everyone is making the EUWMA President 21/22 effort to improve water quality.
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EUWMA
European Union of Water Management Associations
1996 - 2021