Het Instituut voor het Zandkorrel Hoogtebeleid

Every grain counts

As director and founder of the IZH, Micha is deeply shocked by the low level of sand grains and the sinking ground in the Netherlands. Out of concern, the IZH was founded with the goal of raising the Netherlands by spreading sand grains. In this way, we aim to protect the country from high water and ensure that the land remains high and dry.

Where there are too many sand grains, we lower the sand grain level by removing them. We then use these sand grains to raise the lower-lying areas. This way, we ensure that every grain of sand ends up where it is most needed, and we can worry less about the future of the Netherlands. As an institute, we have calculated that Eindhoven is the ideal location for sand grain removal, as the city lies a staggering 280 million sand grains per cm² above NAP (Normal Amsterdam Level).

At the measuring station of the IZH we conduct daily sand measurements. Sand comes into the measuring station through the Sand Dispenser Buoy D50 on the roof. Inside, the grains are carefully counted, checked, and numbered using the M200 Grain Counter. Once the measurement is complete, the sand comes out from underneath the measuring station and is ready to be spread.

Become a Sand Grain Distributor

You too can help the IZH spread these sand grains. At the measuring station, you can pick up a small sand tube containing 25,000 grains of sand and distribute them precisely according to our instructions. Once you’ve spread the grains, you will officially be recognized as a “Sand Grain Distributor” and, through this small act, contribute to the Iarger goal of the IZH: raising the Netherlands.