Innovative wastewater management, developed and supported by multiple stakeholders – how LeAF can assist you in getting there

Rural areas in the Netherlands are changing, both socially as well as economically. Think of changes in agricultural use of farm land, increased citizen participation in managing public areas, the need and wish to host refugees, extension of camping sites, etc. This affects the quantity and composition of wastewater, and thus how we can and should manage it. Given the changing societal conditions as well, these developments create new perspectives and options.

LeAF has developed a methodology  which, together with stakeholders ([local] governments, companies, entrepreneurs, farmers, citizens, …) results in sustainable development through a systematic and strategic approach. Building on the results of these Stakeholder Workshops an abstract vision or ambition is translated to specific, tangible, realistic and broadly supported measures which in the end achieve the goals. Participants of these Stakeholder Workshops, like municipalities, water boards, industries, farmers, citizens, and a variety of other organisations, gain insights in each other’s wishes, ambitions and future plans, and enlarge their understanding of each other’s point of views, boundary conditions and expectations. As a result they are better equipped to solve the complex issues surrounding innovative wastewater management projects together. The method has recently been applied in a project together with the Water board of Zuiderzeeland.

Interested in the method and applicability in your area or case or just interested in receiving more information on this project? Please contact Tiemen Nanninga (Tiemen.Nanninga@wur.nl).

In the Dutch LeAF Letter and on our website more details on the project with Zuiderzeeland and the specific methodology can be found.