Sweco Belgium
Circular Water Network Antwerp Nominated for VLARIO Innovation Award 2025
The expert jury of VLARIO vzw has awarded the Circular Water Network Antwerp a well-deserved spot among the final three nominees. On April 1st, participants of the VLARIO day will choose the ultimate winner of this Innovation Award. We are rooting for this innovative project that helps the city of Antwerp combat drought through a circular water circuit. Sweco’s multidisciplinary team is responsible for the design and stakeholder management.
Groundwater levels in Antwerp are very low in many places and will continue to drop due to climate change. Besides empty ponds, the low groundwater level also leads to less healthy urban greenery. Additionally, there is a risk that brackish (salty) Scheldt water will infiltrate the city’s subsoil, replacing the fresh groundwater.
Climate-Resilient Approach
The city of Antwerp combats drought with circular water use. This includes the reuse of water through the development of a new circular water network, fed by permanent dewatering and surface water from the river Groot Schijn. This will save drinking water and ensure that green areas receive sufficient water, promoting better urban greenery growth. It also helps combat urban heat, promotes biodiversity, and improves groundwater levels.
Water Reuse
Wastewater that would otherwise flow to the sea can be purified and reused in the city center. To get all that water where it is needed, transport pipelines are necessary. This creates a circular water network with various circular water pipelines (CWLs). Sweco is closely involved in the development of two of these pipelines: CWL South and CWL Schijn. Both CWLs will flow into an urban pond, aiming to keep it balanced and maintain groundwater levels in the city center.
Who is Involved?
The city of Antwerp plays a leading role in promoting circular water use. In addition to the city, various partners are involved in this project, including sewer manager and drinking water supplier water-link, ZOO Antwerp, autonomous municipal company AG Vespa, the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), and water purifier Aquafin. The rollout of the circular water network is also supported by the Flemish government and the European Union.
This initiative is part of a program by the Flemish Environment Agency that is part of the Blue Deal.
The Blue Deal is a program launched by the Flemish Government in the fight against water scarcity and drought. The program includes more than 70 actions and 400 projects. With the Blue Deal, Flanders is moving towards less hardening, more wetting, and maximum circular water use.
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