Sweco in the spotlight at the Aquafin Awards
At the 17th edition of the Aquafin Awards, Sweco was among the prize winners. We are very proud of our nomination for Best Engineering Firm and the award for Best Public Domain Project Team for the project ‘Sanitation of wastewater Vossenhol Maldegem’.
Attention to clean watercourses and a climate-resilient living environment is more in the foreground today than ever before, both within and outside the water sector. However, the conditions for carrying out infrastructure works to achieve those objectives are becoming increasingly complex.
Together with its technical partners, Aquafin is working hard to create strong project teams to meet these challenges. The annual Aquafin Awards have become a fixed value with which the company expresses its appreciation for the collaboration.
Charter ‘Verbindend Samenwerken’
In 2022, Aquafin initiated a process around ‘working together in a connecting way’ with the engineering firms. This led to a joint charter with 7 guiding principles.
“This renewed collaboration is a real milestone for us,” says Erwin Malcorps, Business Area President Sweco Belgium. “With this, we can properly address the many projects that are on the table. Internationally, too, we see such new forms of collaboration and contracting emerging that go beyond the traditional client-supplier approach. They allow for better collaboration and faster results.”
Photo Credit: © Aquafin
Nomination for Best Engineering Firm
Sweco was in the running for the title of best engineering firm at the Aquafin Awards. The certificate with the nomination will be given a place of honor in our Antwerp office. It is a recognition of all the efforts made, such as our continuous pursuit of quality and the fact that we have increased our strength by bringing all our sewer experts under one roof.
In the video, Business Unit Manager Greet De Messemaeker and Business Development Manager Carl Verelst literally and figuratively highlight the collaboration with Aquafin and the partners.
Best Public Domain Project Team
Achieving good water quality, complying with new legislation, dealing with extremely dry periods and varying downpours, and navigating through fragmented jurisdictions are just a few of the many challenges faced by the sewerage sector in densely populated Flanders. Strong project teams are therefore essential.
The jury recognized the seamless collaboration between Sweco, Aquafin, and contractor Van den Berghe nv with the award for Best Public Domain Project Team. The project team is an inspiring example of trust and connection, where mutual respect, trust, and good communication are central.
Project Manager Davy Baes: “We are extremely happy! The harmonious collaboration during execution, thanks to the excellent contractor Van den Berghe nv and the close ties with Aquafin and the municipality, made this possible.”
Photo Credit: © Aquafin
Sanitation of wastewater Vossenhol
This project contributes to an environmentally friendly and efficient water treatment by the construction of a separate sewer system for rainwater and wastewater. The wastewater from the houses is connected to the Aquafin purification plant in Maldegem, while the rainwater is led to the ditches.
Davy Baes: “This is a fine example of Sweco’s multidisciplinary and cross-divisional synergy. The collaboration within the project team is excellent, in a pleasant atmosphere and with a good understanding. There is open communication where everything is discussable. Communication with the stakeholders is transparent. The contractor compiles letters for the self-employed, schools, care centers, and other concerned parties almost weekly. Remarks regarding safety are addressed immediately. In short, this site is a model of efficient coordination and execution!”
The main goal is to transport the wastewater collected by the municipality of Maldegem from the takeover point and connect it to the existing municipal sewer in Bogaardestraat. Within the municipal share, the green clusters are also being sanitized. In addition, a ditch is connected to the sewer and led to surface water. The works are expected to be completed by the spring of 2025.
