Amsterdam's water system is overwhelmed during heavy rain. But you already have the power to make a real difference—right from your home, balcony, or courtyard.
Amsterdam's water infrastructure was built for a different climate. Together, we have the knowledge and tools to adapt it—one household at a time.
Amsterdam's combined sewer system was designed in the 1800s for gradual rain. When storms hit, rainwater and sewage overflow directly into our canals—currently 9+ million liters per heavy storm.
Every liter you keep on your property is one less liter entering the overwhelmed system. Studies show that if just 30% of households adopt simple water retention, we could cut overflows by 40–60%.
You're already part of the solution. Every time it rains, your roof and courtyard shed water into the streets. That's not a problem—it's an opportunity. With minimal effort, you can capture and slow that water instead.
Small actions create measurable change. A 2022 TU Delft study tracked 180 Amsterdam households using rain barrels and green roofs. Result: each home prevented an average of 18,500 liters annually from entering the sewer system during peak storms.
These solutions are simpler than IKEA furniture. Installing a rain barrel takes 20–45 minutes. No special tools required. And once it's up, it works automatically—collecting water you can use for plants while taking pressure off the canal system during the next storm.
You decide what works for you. Live in a ground-floor apartment? A rain garden in your courtyard captures runoff. Have a balcony? Planters with reservoirs retain water while growing herbs. Own a rooftop? Green roofs cool your home while holding 30–40 liters per square meter.
You're not alone in this. Over 2,400 Amsterdam households have already implemented water retention solutions. Together, they're preventing over 44 million liters per year from overwhelming the canals. Your contribution—no matter how small—adds to that total.
The results are tangible and immediate. After the first heavy rain, you'll see your barrel fill. You'll watch your rain garden absorb water that would've run into the street. You'll know exactly how many liters you've kept out of the system. And you can track your neighborhood's collective impact in real-time.
Research from Waternet and TU Delft shows that distributed water retention is more effective than centralized solutions for managing peak storm events:
People who install water retention solutions report unexpected benefits:
Every household that joins the movement increases Amsterdam's water resilience. Here's what we've achieved together so far:
Choose the solution that matches your space, budget, and skill level. Every option has been tested and proven effective.
We asked participants what motivated them. The answers might surprise you.
Lisa (De Pijp) — "I thought I was just solving my flooding problem. But after the first storm when I saw my barrel full and my neighbor's courtyard bone-dry, I realized I actually understand how water works in the city now. That knowledge feels powerful."
Marco (Noord) — "I installed a rain garden because I wanted native plants. The water retention was secondary. Now I check the rain forecast like I'm tracking a game score—how much can we capture this time? It's weirdly addictive."