Water is becoming more and more a scarce commodity in many parts of the world where they are also facing tremendous extreme events such floods. In all these areas, due to the inefficient use of water, water pollution caused by the human intervention and by changes of the human habits, the water becomes an important issue of debates, making the sustainable use of water a mandatory requirement. In the last decade, Europe suffered major floods, causing fatalities, economic losses, displacement of population and, last but not least, a huge impact on nature. The paper raises the reader's awareness of the fact that floods have always existed and will continue to exist - they are part of the nature; as United Nations and Economic Commission for Europe Guidelines on Sustainable Flood Prevention pointed out, as far as feasible human interference in the processes of nature should be reversed, compensated and prevented. The “lesson” from Tirlisua (Northern Romania) remains in the collective memory, strengthening the necessity of approaching a new paradigm of humans and nature living together.