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When it comes to dike reinforcement, a lot depends on what you don’t see. Before the first cubic meter of soil is moved, it must be clear what’s in the ground. Diseo played a key role in the dike reinforcement project near Arcen. The environmental consulting firm assessed the soil quality of the project area, oversaw additional research, and supported the Arcen Dike Zone Alliance in navigating the complex regulations surrounding soil flows.
“We’ve actually been able to apply all of our expertise to this project,” says Martijn Veenhuis, co-owner of Diseo. Diseo primarily conducts soil investigations on behalf of contractors. In doing so, the firm not only reviews new studies but also critically evaluates existing data. Which soil investigations have already been conducted? Were they carried out in accordance with current guidelines? And are the results still valid? Based on this, a comprehensive overview of the work area is created, including any blind spots where additional investigation is needed. That knowledge is essential for the project’s execution. This preparation also proved crucial for the dike reinforcement project in Arcen.
Although the project is relatively small-scale, Martijn calls it one of the more complex dike reinforcement projects Diseo has worked on. “Arcen is not a vast agricultural area, but an intensively used environment. As a result, you encounter many different soil qualities, and there is a wide variation in soil analyses.” An important consideration was the location of the project area. In dike reinforcement projects, a distinction is made between land soil and water soil. Different investigation strategies and legal frameworks apply to each. “Some water-bottom surveys are valid for only three years, while a project like this runs for much longer. That means you have to carefully coordinate when earthwork takes place and whether surveys may need to be repeated.” In Arcen, the situation is particularly nuanced. Virtually all of Arcen falls within what is known as the ‘dry bank area.’ As a result, locations that appear to be outside the dikes are, legally speaking, still subject to the survey strategy for land soil.”
What makes the dike reinforcement project in Arcen unique is the construction of the longest self-closing flood barrier in the Netherlands. Most of the work took place within the built-up area, which meant that many private backyards also became part of the study area. “For the flood barrier, we had to dig deeper into the soil than during a standard soil investigation. You really come across all sorts of things: from clean soil to minor contamination and sometimes asbestos. If contaminants are found, they must be carefully remediated. That requires a great deal of coordination among all parties involved,” says Bram van Tent, a consultant at Diseo.
According to Martijn, Diseo’s added value lies primarily in taking the burden off the Arcen Dike Zone Alliance. “By combining knowledge of soil quality with current laws and regulations, we help contractors identify risks in advance. A carefully conducted soil investigation serves as the recognized evidence required to remove soil and reuse it elsewhere. If it turns out during construction that the soil is not suitable for reuse after all, this has immediate consequences for the schedule, logistics, and project costs. A correct interpretation of the soil investigation can save the contractor a lot of money. Our goal is to ensure that the project proceeds smoothly, without unnecessary delays caused by soil-related issues. That’s what makes this work so rewarding.”
He also says that the collaboration with the Arcen Dike Zone Alliance is going well. “Communication channels are short, and we coordinate closely with one another. That allows us to respond quickly when necessary. For a project like the dike reinforcement in Arcen, that’s extremely valuable.”
