Fryslân

panoramic view dyke Grou

Fryslân is the water province of the Netherlands. Water has always played an important role in the regional economy and therefore water management is high on the Frysian political agenda. Improving the water quality, managing the quantity of water and using the surface water for recreational purposes are all everyday issues in Fryslând. Now the focus is on how to combine and integrate various new and existing themes. The province has a directive role in the entire process.

Fryslân is contributing three pilots to the UWC project:

Kameleon island Terherne

This theme park, aimed at experiencing and discovering nature, attracts 40,000 visitors a year. It can only be reached by boat and has no electricity or drinking water facilities. The challenge is to realise a self-supporting water cycle which functions independently of the mainland. Drinking water needs to be obtained from treated surface water. Wastewater will be treated and discharged into the polder where the soil will act as a filter. The excess water in the polder will have to be pumped into the surrounding lake via a pumping station powered by wind or solar energy.

kids rafting around the Kameleon Island

air view Kameleon island

Vrijheidswijk

In the socially-disadvantaged Vrijheidswijk district of Leeuwarden, a package of integrated measures will provide an additional 12,000 m2 of visible, good-quality surface water, which is easily accessible. The amenity value of the water and the recycling of rainwater by the residents must both contribute to regenerating and upgrading the entire district as part of a complete urban regeneration project.

Ecological trearment of wastewater in Grou

Finally a wetland is being built next to the WWTP in Grou, which will be used to polish effluent. An example of pure ecological treatment.

project area in Grou