Municipality Halts Construction Work in Adegeest

The municipality has suspended work in the Adegeest neighborhood of Voorschoten as a precautionary measure. This is due to unexpected damage to the sewer systems in homes. Tomorrow morning, residents throughout the neighborhood will receive a door-to-door letter in which the municipality explains how the major maintenance project will proceed.

The Adegeest neighborhood

Last weekend, damage occurred to the sewer system in three homes in Adegeest. In response, the municipality immediately halted the work. “We were quite shocked,” says Alderman Hubert Schokker. “We don’t know which method is most effective for preventing this kind of damage. That’s why we took this measure. We’re currently investigating exactly what’s going on and what we can do about it. My heart goes out to the residents who’ve been affected by this. Damage outside your home is bad enough, but damage inside your safe home environment is even worse.”

Continued

The municipality has engaged the engineering firm Sweco to analyze the current approach. It has also asked the firm to propose a better method that will allow the work to be carried out with minimal damage. Unfortunately, it is not possible to replace the sewer system in peatland areas without some degree of ground subsidence. However, by keeping the ground subsidence to a minimum, it will not cause damage to homes or utility connections. Work is currently underway on the analysis and the resulting work plan. Early tomorrow morning, the municipality will inform residents via a door-to-door letter about further measures to prevent damage.

Major Maintenance

In June 2024, the municipality of Voorschoten began the necessary major maintenance on the sewer system and roads in Adegeest. During the work, subsidence was observed, primarily affecting small gardens and low walls. In response, the municipality, in consultation with the engineering firm Sweco and the Rijnland Water Board, took measures to address the issue. A procedure has also been established for filing claims for compensation for any damage.