The Adegeest neighborhood is becoming climate-resilient and will receive a government grant for this purpose

On Wednesday morning, Councilman Schokker signed the agreement for the federal grant for climate-adaptive measures in the Adegeest neighborhood. With this grant, awarded under the Delta Plan for Spatial Adaptation (DPRA) program, the municipality of Voorschoten will undertake a comprehensive effort to make this neighborhood future-proof and climate-resilient.

Following the comprehensive renovation of the Vlietwijk neighborhood in 2017, it is now Adegeest’s turn. With the help of a grant, the municipality of Voorschoten will undertake a large-scale sewer system upgrade in Adegeest in 2024. Alderman Hubert Schokker: “Currently, Adegeest has a combined sewer system. This means that rainwater flows into the same sewer as wastewater from homes. We’re going to install a pipe system that ensures rain, snow, and hail can flow into a ditch, pond, or depression (a man-made low-lying area, also known as a wadi), and that only wastewater from homes enters the sewer system.”

Ms. Martine Leeuwis, secretary of the DPRA working group, and Alderman Hubert Schokker sign the government grant agreement.

Climate-Resilient

In addition to the sewer system upgrades, the entire neighborhood is being renovated. Civil engineer Schokker: “We’re planting more greenery and trees. We’re also installing grass pavers in parking lots and parking lanes. This allows water to infiltrate more effectively, thereby reducing the load on the sewer system and surface water.” In addition, wadis are being constructed to collect rainwater. The wadis will be connected to a drainage/infiltration sewer system to carry away excess water that seeps into the ground. During periods of drought, this infiltration sewer system will supply water to prevent more severe drought conditions. All these measures ensure that we are better prepared for a future in which extreme precipitation, as well as extreme drought and heat, will unfortunately occur with increasing frequency.”

More information

For more information about the major maintenance project in the Adegeest neighborhood, visit www.voorschoten.nl/adegeest. More information about the municipality of Voorschoten’s climate adaptation policy can be found at www.voorschoten.nl/visie-op-energie-en-klimaat.