Innovative products in drainage

Since the merger between Technisch Bureau Soest (TBS) and Struyk Verwo Aqua (SVA) in January 2020, several innovative products in the field of drainage have entered the market. "A successful cross-pollination where innovativeness and reliability are perfectly combined," says Willy Bruckers, commercial director of TBS-SVA GROUP. He is visibly proud of the integration of the two brands. "The two cultures have merged perfectly and it feels completely like one company where everyone can be in their strengths." That strength is definitely evident in the innovative products the company markets.

"In today's times, where on the one hand there are major droughts and on the other hand there is a search for ways to drain or buffer excess water quickly and responsibly, it is crucial that we come up with products that can meet those kinds of challenges," Bruckers continued.

Infiltration with dirt collection via gullies

In the context of climate adaptation, infiltration systems in public spaces are of course a must, but in doing so, it is equally important to think carefully about the impact of the dirt in the rainwater entering underground infiltration systems. "So we started researching, analyzing and coming up with new products such as the Cyclone filter well gully, as well as water nuisance prevention through the Stormwater Gully 50-50, or the Animal-friendly street gully and the rattle-free Q-Line PRO gully. A gully is more important than you think!"

Cyclone filter pit gully

At the InfraTech, TBS-SVA presented the Cyclone filter pit gully. A system with which extra large amounts of dirt can be collected. "The Netherlands has about seven million gullies, which on average collect about 8 kg of dirt per year, of which about 6 kg can be cleaned and reused. We studied that you can double the dirt collection (from 8 to 16 kg) by placing a simple filter screen in the gully. And that principle has been the basis for developing the cyclone filter pit gully," Bruckers says. "A finer mesh filter not only holds back more dirt and pollutants, but because of the self-cleaning effect, the filter is less likely to clog up. The cyclone filter well gully can be connected to several traditional gullies. The water is passed through the gully like a cyclone and forces its way through the fine-mesh filter, trapping dirt on the inside of the filter. Of the water, 90% goes to the infiltration facility as clean water and only 10% (contaminated water) goes to the foul water outlet and foul water sewer." Bruckers emphasizes that the cyclone filter well gully is easy to maintain. "The filter is quick to replace and the gully has a long service life."

Sustainability Ambitions

The collected and recycled sludge from gullies is reused as gully sand by TBS-SVA for its own production. "The raw materials for the concrete part of the gullies and manhole edges already comprise 20% of recycled material. We want to increase that percentage even further. The cast iron used is, of course, already a secondary product. At the request of municipalities, we also place free containers at redevelopment projects where contractors can dispose of old drainage materials. We provide processing, purification and reuse of the raw materials." Not surprisingly, TBS-SVA's gullies achieve the lowest MKI score when compared to similar drainage products. "Thus, we are not only taking sustainable steps ourselves, but also helping municipalities achieve their sustainability ambitions. And thus also with their infiltration tasks," Bruckers says.

Unique concept for reduced noise pollution

Another important innovative concept from TBS-SVA, which responds to current issues from the market, is the Q-Line PRO. "Through streets and squares are being redesigned nowadays, which shows that cars drive over gully grates and lids more often. By using innovative rubber seals (polyurethane) at edges and grates, noise pollution from cast iron on cast iron is virtually eliminated. In addition, the gully is better protected against wear and tear and is therefore more durable," Bruckers said. He will tell more about the other collective innovations such as the storm water gully and the animal-friendly street gully in a subsequent article.