Oplossingwatermonsters

Oplossingwatermonsters is a neologism used primarily in Dutch-language discourse to describe a category of metaphorical or fictional entities that symbolize proposed solutions to water-related challenges. The term blends oplossingen, meaning “solution,” with watermonsters, meaning “water monsters.” It is not a standardized scientific concept or a single creature, but rather a rhetorical device and, in some contexts, a fictional construct.

In fiction and narrative media, oplossingwatermonsters can appear as mythical aquatic beings that embody innovations in water management, such as flood barriers, green infrastructure, or drought mitigation strategies. They are often used to dramatize complex hydrological issues, making abstract policy ideas more tangible to lay audiences. In some literary or experimental works, these beings may interact with communities, highlighting tensions between technological fixes and ecological realities.

In public discourse and policy debates, the term serves as a metaphor to critique or illuminate discussions about how societies address water risks. Proponents may use it to celebrate creative engineering, while critics might argue that mythic imagery risks oversimplifying technical challenges or shifting focus away from evidence-based planning. As a rhetorical device, oplossingwatermonsters can shape risk perception, engagement, and memory around water-related decisions.

See also: water monster, cryptid, environmental communication, risk communication, myth-making in science.