Establishing a Groundwater Management Zone can be an effective way of dealing with large amounts of contaminated groundwater over time, especially in urban construction zones, where there is always a risk that potentially harmful pollutants might seep into the water table.

In Utrecht, the redevelopment of the city’s central district was delayed after a high level of groundwater contamination was found on site. Thus ARCADIS suggested a creative and sustainable solution that not only met the EU’s strict regulations but also reflected the city’s development goals. Our proposal used a Groundwater Management Zone to pump groundwater through an underground Heat Cold Storage (HCS) system, creating a source of sustainable energy just under the earth’s surface that stores heat and cold. The system acts as a type of bio-friendly washing machine that mixes naturally occurring bacteria, contaminants and nutrients to leave the groundwater clean. ARCADIS’ solution allows for the close monitoring and gradual improvement of groundwater quality. Furthermore, the sustainable energy created to heat and cool Utrecht’s buildings is both efficient and environmentally friendly.

“The approach in Utrecht is more than a 'green' remediation approach. It enables us to balance environmental costs and benefits across the different aspects of urban development, ultimately resulting in the most sustainable way forward.” Pieter Dols, Senior specialist Hans Slenders, Consultant Soil and Groundwater