Rijkswaterstaat has an effort-obligation and result-obligation to take measures to achieve the goals of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) at the Eastern Scheldt and Lake Grevelingen. The WFD aims to achieve and protect a sufficient ecological and chemical status of inland surface waters, transitional …

Stormwater runoff has severe negative and direct impact on the quality of surface waters and groundwater. The impact can cause chemical and heavy-metal pollution. Applying well established methods to map pollutants in urban areas and specifically in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), such as Sustainable Urban …

Climate change accentuates heat waves in The Netherlands. This, in combination with high nutrient concentrations in Dutch surface waters, is intensifying the proliferation of toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), a threat for the health of the population and ecosystems. Lakes are resources for recreational …

Summary Constructed wetlands have been used for decades on industrial areas to treat stormwater. European regulations and local ambitions for water quality dictate lower emissions before the water is discharged to the drainage system, surface water or infiltrated to ground water. The increase in the …

The combined impacts of urbanization and climate change pose significant threats for flooding and water quality in urban areas. Research shows that on average 83% of the flooding events were caused by gully pot blockages, stating the crucial importance of gully pot maintenance. Roadside gully pots are …

Nutrient enrichment, scientifically known as eutrophication, is a worldwide problem. Eutrophication is one of the main drivers for cyanobacteria blooms. Cyanobacteria blooms can have a negative effect on ecology, economy and human health, as a result of to the ability of some species to release toxins. …

Eutrophication because of heightened phosphorus and nitrogen input into freshwater ecosystems is an increasing problem, while at the same time phosphorus availability for agricultural purposes is decreasing on a high pace. B-Ware Research Centre and Radboud University Nijmegen developed a novel biocascade …

Direct emissions of emerging and well known contaminants via industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWTPs) considerably impact Dutch surface water concentrations with vulnerable drinking water functions. In this nationwide impact study, the impact of 182 Dutch IWTPs was modelled, whilst taking geographic …

Floating wetland treatment systems (FWTS) are an innovative stormwater treatment technology currently being trialled on a larger scale in Australia. FWTS provide support for selected plant species to remove pollutants from stormwater discharged into a water body. The plant roots provide large surface …

An estimated 17 million tonnes of tires are discarded annually. Re-use is achieved by retreading (9%), recycling (39%), energy recovery (37%) and landfill (5%). A preferred, but complex way of recycling is to make new tires from discarded tire rubber. Vulcanised car tire rubber has to be devulcanized …