News

Along the Europaweg in Haarlem, an Aquaflow water-attenuating foundation has been installed beneath 2 kilometers of bicycle path. The system collects rainwater from both the roadway and the bicycle path, contributing to a climate-resilient design of the public space. A unique aspect of this project is that the system’s performance will soon be monitored remotely in real time using Flowfacts sensors. Aquaflow was invited by the construction team, including Dura Vermeer, Sweco, and the municipality of Haarlem, to collaborate on achieving the optimal solution.

How is annual precipitation distributed across small and large storms? At the request of Aquaflow, TU Delft analyzed 30 years of KNMI precipitation data, supplemented by six years of measurement data from The Green Village in Delft. The results are striking: 89% of annual precipitation falls in storms of up to 10 mm, while even storms of just 1 mm already represent 31% of the annual volume. What do these insights mean for the way we handle infiltration, groundwater recharge, drought, and flooding? View the graph and discover the questions this research raises for current climate policy.

A green and inviting outdoor space has been created around the new apartments at Arendsplein in Oosterhout. What stands out in Miriam Kierkels’ design (Municipality of Oosterhout) is how the Parksteen has been applied in multiple ways. Not only as a paving element, but also as a creative seating element that contributes to the quality of the square as a place to linger. Curious how a single product can fulfill multiple functions within a well-thought-out design? View the project and be inspired.

Road construction is challenging in Gouda’s peat soil: heavy foundations quickly sink into the soft ground. Aquaflow developed a lightweight alternative for its own water-retaining road foundation: Aquaflow Argimedes. The construction consists of strong plastic units with integrated connections for WT-gullies and roof water. The units are connected and wrapped with geotextile, creating a lightweight, stress-spreading layer that can also store water. With a thin layer of mixed granulate on top, the foundation is suitable for heavy traffic. This solution is being used at the new bus station and charging area for electric buses of Qbuzz on the Tielweg in Gouda and was constructed by Scherrenberg B.V.

In Maastricht, 3,800 m² of Aquaflow has been installed for climate adaptation purposes. This provides a buffer for 550,000 liters of rainwater. Sustainability was central: contractor Van de Kreeke works electrically, and the Aquaflow crushed stone has a very low environmental cost indicator and was transported by ship. Due to the impermeable loess soil, direct infiltration is not possible. Therefore, the water-retaining foundation is equipped with a waterproof film on the underside, so that the subsoil remains dry and stable. The water is discharged via drilled infiltration poles to deeper, permeable gravel layers. Asphalt has been applied directly to the foundation.

The Schoolstraat in Oostkamp has been declared the best garden street in Flanders: green, climate-resistant, and liveable. An important part of the winning design by engineering firm Lobelle is almost 3,000 m² of paving with park stone and small park stone. Contractor Ivan Vuylsteke bv installed this paving harmoniously around the garden areas and planting.

We sometimes receive the question whether bacteria die when no nutrients are available. Fortunately, this is not the case, and there are several reasons for this. The Aquaflow microbial product contains essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), as well as trace elements in a slow-release form. These stimulate the development of the bacteria. Additionally, the product contains a small amount of organic material (not oil), which serves as a carbon source. This helps the bacteria during the start-up phase, allowing them to multiply and grow. When this carbon source is depleted and no other available carbon is present in the soil, the bacteria can survive by entering a dormant state. They do this by, for

Over the years, Aquaflow has developed many innovative solutions for water-retaining roads. In the photo, you can see the house connections of two apartment complexes, each with a diameter of 200 mm. The Permavoid connector XL-200 mm is still visible and will be carefully covered with geotextile later.

At Schiphol, 35,000 m2 of oil-processing filter fabric (PF90) is laid under the pavement as part of a Breeam excellent certification. This specially designed filter fabric blocks 100% of hydrocarbons, preventing oil and gasoline particles from penetrating the soil. As rainwater seeps into the ground, the contamination is captured in the fabric and then naturally broken down by added microbes. It is easy to apply and ensures that the soil remains clean and the environment is protected.

With Flowfacts, you can track in real-time and remotely how the water storage fills and empties. The photo shows an innovative contactless water level sensor, which is attached to the lid of the drain. The water level in this drain is equal to the water level in the water storage.

At Aquaflow, you will find a circular water-retaining road, equipped with Flowfacts water level sensors for accurate monitoring. We have also integrated a toad ladder to allow amphibians to safely climb out of the water catch basins, and our oil-processing filter fabric is perfectly suited for BREEAM projects and areas with vulnerable groundwater. Read more about our solutions in the article in Straatbeeld.

With the park stone, the straight lines of classic street work can be abandoned. The pattern provides design freedom and a natural transition between paving and greenery. Enk Groen en Golf sent us a beautiful photo of the Heycop project in Utrecht with 750 m2 of Park Stones.

Innovative indeed: a water-retaining road foundation made of circular natural stone granulate that matches the performance of new materials. A sustainable choice for water storage. In Culemborg, this was a deliberate choice (see Straatbeeld article on website).

To Infiltrate or not in Kerkrade? In the barely permeable loess soil in Kerkrade, Wegenbouw Kurvers installed an Aquaflow system to buffer 120 m3 of water. But how does a water-retaining road in impermeable soil drain? The most common method is a restricted outflow, allowing the buffer to slowly drain elsewhere. However, in South Limburg, beneath the impermeable clay layer, a gravel layer or coarse sand is often present. Therefore, at Old Hickoryplein, a 6-meter deep shaft was dug to infiltrate rainwater into the deeper, well-permeable gravel layers.

Rainwater not in the ditch? Why not? In our discussions, we talk with you about the future of urban rainwater policy. Where is it headed? Will we experience more flooding or, conversely, drought? Shouldn’t rainwater first go into the soil and only then into the ditch?

A Design to Connect People in Breda How do you ensure mutual cohesion in a new neighborhood? One way is by ensuring that residents meet and get to know each other. To contribute to this, BuroBol has designed special street furniture for the Drie Hoefijzers plan in Breda. A concrete “pouf” that fits into the park stone laying pattern, where residents can sit for a chat.

Nearly 2-Meter Thick Aquaflow Package in Wezep A large storage requirement and limited space. This was the case in the new development plan “Zeuven Heuvels” in Wezep (municipality of Oldenbroek) which has now been completed. The solution was found in an Aquaflow water-storing road with a thicker foundation package. In some places, Aquaflow was installed 190cm thick, allowing> 700 liters/m2 of rainwater to be buffered.