Renovating sustainable, modular and circular pumping stations and weirs

The Coehoorn pumping station on the Oranjekanaal in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe recently had the scoop with the pouring of the first prefab cementless parts. Here, the water board, together with contractor Van Heteren, linked the modular concept to the use of cementless concrete (geopolymer concrete). The use of this concrete, i.e. without cement, results in a CO ₂ saving of more than 50 percent compared to traditional concrete. Van Heteren: ”We are very proud of this first. This just goes to show that you can make progress together.”

Cementless concrete Geopolymer concrete
does not contain cement. It consists of a combination of 'cement-replacing mineral substances' originating from known industrial residues, such as blast furnace slag and fly ash, and from natural sources, such as river sludge. The material has the same color and appearance as traditional concrete; there are no visible differences.

Modular and circular
At other pumping stations and weirs, the water board will build modularly. This means that an object can be completely disassembled and, if necessary, reassembled elsewhere. In addition, sheet piles from previously renovated pumping stations are reused as facade cladding. WDOdelta wants to circularly apply released materials in other projects. The water board is also working sustainably with the new construction of the Leenders pumping station . This includes limiting CO ₂ emissions during construction and integrating nesting boxes in the facade of the building. Extra work experience places are also being created here for people with a distance to the labor market, the so-called Social Return On Investment (SROI).

Sustainability & Climate
Board member Marion Wichard, Sustainability portfolio holder: “Climate change presents society with new challenges and also has a major impact on water board work. We are using new ways to carry out our tasks in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. By using solar and wind energy and energy from (sewage) water, we are working on our ambition to be energy neutral by 2025. In addition, we want to contribute more and more to the circular economy. This is only possible if we work together with the market. So I am very happy with the innovative project at the Coehoorn pumping station.”

More information at www.wdodelta.nl/duurzaamdoen .

Renovating sustainable, modular and circular pumping stations and weirs – Read more news from the water sector .