Commissioned by Fluvius and the municipality of Zonhoven, a new separate sewage system is being constructed along the route of Grote Hemmenweg, Blikveldweg, and Korenmolenweg in Zonhoven. The municipality is taking the opportunity to improve the road infrastructure, cycling connection, and infiltration capacity along this route.
Vitrified clay pipes were chosen for wastewater transport. Clean water flows through concrete pipes. The project also includes the connection of 250 homes with plastic sewer pipes to the separate sewerage system.
Gres, a reliable choice
For this project, engineering firm Sweco recommended the use of vitrified clay pipes, a material that has been used for centuries and has become increasingly popular with intermunicipal utility companies in recent years. The choice of vitrified clay is due to its high wear resistance, making it more durable than concrete or metal.
“We work together with our partner Euro Sweillem for the supply of vitrified clay pipes,” says Willy De Schagt, Account Manager at Deschacht. “Vitrified clay wears out much less quickly than concrete or metal when water flows down a slope. That is why vitrified clay is often specified for projects with large height differences.”
For this project, reinforced and unreinforced vitrified clay pipes will be installed, depending on the depth and cover of the pipes. Wastewater will henceforth be discharged to a collector sewer that connects to a wastewater treatment plant. The clean water will flow into the Roosterbeek. As a result, this natural watercourse will no longer be polluted by the combined wastewater from surrounding homes, and the pressure during heavy rainfall will be significantly reduced. At the same time, the entire roadway will undergo a thorough make-over. Detached cycle paths and infiltration swales will be installed so that rainwater can infiltrate the soil better. The works will take approximately two years.
“We work together with Deschacht for the supply of all stoneware pipes and plastic pipelines,’
also Michael Pellaers from APK.
“In addition, they also provide us with technical solutions and advice for the watertight connection of the pipes to the existing homes.
- Client: Fluvius, Municipality of Zonhoven
- Engineering firm: Sweco
- Earthworks: MOT
