Waterveiligheid en Ruimte Limburg (WRL)
Waterveiligheid en Ruimte Limburg (WRL)
The floods of July 2021 showed how vulnerable Limburg can be during extreme rainfall. To make the region more resilient to extreme weather, the Province of Limburg, het Waterschap Limburg, Limburg municipalities and the Dutch government joined forces in the programme Waterveiligheid en Ruimte Limburg (WRL). Together, they are developing integrated strategies for regional watersheds such as the Geul, Geleenbeek and Roer. WRL combines practical measures in the water system with smart spatial planning and stronger water resilience for residents and businesses.
The goal is a landscape that can retain and manage more water, and a society that is better prepared for flooding and heavy rainfall. Governments, organisations and residents all have a role to play.
Nature based measures
Nature based measures can play an important role in reducing flood risk. Vegetation helps to retain, slow down and infiltrate rainwater into the soil. Examples include forests, hedgerows, grasslands and climate resilient farming practices. Small landscape interventions can also make a difference. Earthen bunds, wooden barriers and woven branch structures can help hold back water in dry valleys. On slopes, terraced embankments with vegetation and contour trenches are effective ways to slow runoff and temporarily store water. Wherever water is slowed down and retained, the soil has more time to absorb it, reducing flood risk further downstream.
Opportunity maps
For the Geul catchment, WRL is mapping where nature based measures can be most effective. These so called opportunity maps identify suitable locations for different types of measures, such as woodland creation or converting arable land into grassland. Potential impacts are assessed using advanced rainfall runoff models. This helps identify which measures can retain the most water and where they can have the greatest impact.
Research at this scale and level of detail has not been carried out before in this region.
WRL and Sponge
WRL provides one time co funding for Sponge and supports the project with expertise and practical experience throughout implementation. For the Sponge voucher scheme, WRL offers additional funding for projects located in the Geul area. On top of the 50% Interreg contribution, WRL provides an extra 30% contribution. As a result, selected Sponge projects in the Geul catchment area can receive up to 80% co funding.
WRL Opportunity Scheme
WRL offers practical tools and support to help residents, organisations and public authorities prepare for flooding and extreme rainfall. Alongside guidance documents, brochures and practical advice, WRL also manages the WRL Opportunity Scheme. This funding programme supports projects that can help protect Limburg from flooding within the next two years. Examples include projects that retain water, provide temporary storage or improve controlled water discharge. A total of €10 million is available. The second funding round, worth €5 million, remains open until 15 September 2026. Learn more about the Kansenregeling | Wacht niet op water.
Contact
Mak Čičak (Project Manager EU Funded Projects WRL)