Challenges and solutions for circular source dewatering

Aquafin Goes for RENEWAL

In recent summers, the groundwater level in Flanders regularly made the news. The situation is bad. And yet it is a familiar sight at construction sites: long water hoses that pump up groundwater from the site directly into the sewers. This pumping is called 'well drainage' and it is often the only solution from a construction point of view to start (new) constructions in a safe and dry manner.

It is estimated that not even 10% of all dewatering today makes use of circular principles such as return dewatering and/or reuse of groundwater. As a result, millions of liters of groundwater end up in the sewer system every year.
Aquafin wants to change that with the HERBRONNEN project.

Within that project, Aquafin wants to map out the technical, financial and policy problems that are currently impeding circular well dewatering and provide clear solutions for them. The company is focusing primarily on stimulating return dewatering. This process returns the pumped-up groundwater to the soil in the vicinity of the site so that the drainage has less impact on the groundwater level in the surrounding area.
In addition, Aquafin is also focusing on improving the water quality so that the area for reuse can be increased. Based on the available laboratory results, we are looking at the most common contaminants in the drainage water and how the water can be purified and reused.

HERBRONNEN wants to open up the dialogue to all stakeholders and demonstrate that circular well drilling can be done safely, user-friendly and reliably. Via the project, Aquafin wants to provide instruments that will enable the establishment of a user platform for providers and users of drainage water on the one hand, and help shape the policy framework on the other, so that more site water can be used for essential applications.

Aquafin purifies sewage water until it can be returned to nature. So it is not drinking water, but clean water in city centers, for example, along which it is pleasant to live and walk. In addition, they are also working on the sustainable use of rainwater, to help prevent dry soils and limit the consequences of heavy showers.