When I say that the Netherlands has a long history of seamanship and water management, no one will disagree with me. The idea that water poses a threat to the Netherlands, due to rising sea levels, is intertwined with the national self-image. Dams, canals, and polders, built to keep the water at bay, have shaped the landscape. Therefore, water has a cultural role in the Netherlands. But this image is incomplete. There is no reflection on how the Netherlands has used their knowledge of water to their own advantage, particularly during the colonial period. The knowledge of water and water management was used to conquer territories, oppress people, and extract resources. The Netherlands used water precisely to achieve their own goals. This is still the case today. The water management industry in the Netherlands generates a significant amount of money. It has become an export product, with other countries seeking advice from the Netherlands on how to control and manage water. The climate crisis increases the threat of flooding worldwide, and the Netherlands receives more requests for advice on how to combat this. Thus, the Netherlands is still profiting from their history of controlling and using water today.