Ruud celebrates New Year’s Eve alone at the second largest pumping station in the Netherlands: ‘Sometimes you have to switch gears like hell’ | Zwartewaterland

“It is a bit less, but we will get through it,” says Ruud Bomert. He is a water level manager at the Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Board and works the last service of the year at the Zedemuden pumping station in Zwartsluis. Due to the high water, someone must be there 24/7 to monitor the situation. He is relieved at the stroke of midnight.