Surface water pumping stations for first polder in Limburg

The village of Griendtsveen lies between the nature reserves of Deurnsche Peel in North Brabant and Mariapeel in Limburg. In order to maintain and strengthen these raised bog areas (Natura 2000), efforts have been made for 20 years to retain as much rainwater as possible in the area. However, the consequence was that Griendtsveen might experience effects of waterlogging. To prevent this, the water management around the village was adjusted. VOPO was approached by contracting company Vissers Ploegmakers to work out the design of two surface pumping stations for this first polder in Limburg in a construction team.

Adjusting the water balance around Griendtsveen is one of the projects in and around Griendtsveen, in addition to the extensive program 'Optimization of water supply Peel canals' where more water will be introduced to the higher sandy soils of Southeast Brabant and Northwest Limburg. 

One-stop shop

VOPO offers clients such as governments, water boards, district water boards, provinces, municipalities, engineering firms and hydraulic engineers a one-stop shop for surface water techniques. From advice, design and engineering to implementation and aftercare of (fish-friendly) pumps and pumping stations, inlets, duckweed cleaners, fish passages, weirs, electrical installations, piping. And that both for new construction, revision and renovation. 

Protected townscape 

To properly control the water level in the area and limit flooding in Griendtsveen, two surface water pumping stations have been constructed, one at Lavendellaan and one at Kanaalweg. "From Vissers Ploegmakers we joined the construction team to determine the pump design for both locations together with the hydrologists of Waterschap Limburg using a selection matrix," says Arjan Schilder, project leader at VOPO. "A site-specific solution had to be devised because of the limited space. And since Griendtsveen is a protected village site, there was an aesthetic requirement behind it and the pumping stations were largely built below ground level."

Two pumping stations, four pumps

The two surface water pumping stations each have two VOPO pumps. "They are so-called submersible pumps equipped with a screw centrifugal impeller," explains Arjan. "An important advantage of such pumps with a large passage is, on the one hand, their fish-friendliness and, on the other, their ability to handle a lot of dirt. Two installed pumps per pumping station also provides the water board with a large control range. From now on, they can discharge excess water faster during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding in the village of Griendtsveen. Instead, during dry periods, water can be pumped into the area to prevent soil settling and other drought damage." 

Both surface water pumping stations have now been completed to the full satisfaction of the client. "We have good experiences with VOPO and have worked together very pleasantly for more than 25 years," says Johan Stultiens of Waterschap Limburg. Arjan concludes, "We as OPO also look back on a smoothly run 

roject with an open consultation structure in close cooperation with Vissers Ploegmakers and Modderkolk who were in charge of the electrical part and the control of the pumping stations." Residents of Griendtsveen will at least not have to worry about wet feet for the next few years.