Regge and Dinkel Water Board in the east of the Netherlands is modernising a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and disconnecting the rainwater discharge from the sewerage system in part of the urban area.

Disconnecting impervious surfaces and creating rainwater storage ponds

A number of measures are being taken in the watershed of the Dinkel River to ensure surface water of a high ecological potential. The inflow of rainwater in the sewerage system is being reduced by either disconnecting the impervious surfaces or by creating rainwater storage ponds. This will lead to a more effective use of the WWTP capacity and make it possible to prevent overflows.

drain cover decoupled sewerage system

New techniques

New techniques are being used to improve the water quality of the effluent. Research on membrane technology could be of particular benefit to many other water managers. Thanks to an innovative sand filter an absolute minimum of solid pollutants end up in the surface water. Finally an ecological filter has been installed in the form of a pond between the WWTP and the stream into which the polished effluent is discharged. This should lead to a considerable improvement in the water quality of the region, by ensuring that the effluent is not only clean but also “ecologically sound”.

water pearl Wiemselbeek

Carefully measured and monitored

The entire process is being carefully measured and monitored so as to provide a detailed picture about the exact relationships between the measures taken and the subsequent improvements in quality. In particular, the synergistic effects of traditional sludge filters and new techniques must ensure that the effluent discharged from the WWTP into the surface water of this special area has a high ecological potential. It should and must be possible to achieve these same results in highly urbanised areas.

wadi: decoupling of impervious areas