We all know that public tenders are often complex and strict.
In Hermalle-sous-Argenteau, road construction company Balaes was awarded the contract for the sewer and drainage installation of the new Esprit la Gravière residential development, consisting of 120 residential units. All of this is executed in accordance with the strict standards of AIDE.
Esprit la Gravière: an explanation
This residential area, consisting of 26 houses and 8 apartment buildings, is a project by Perspectives Groupe and designed by Luc Spits. The name refers to its location near the Brock gravel pit, an ecologically valuable body of water close to the Meuse. However, this attractive location presented two challenges for the sewerage works:
- a groundwater layer just a few meters below the surface,
- and a height difference of 3.5 meters to connect to the existing road network.
Pumping wastewater upward with a pump station
Engineering firm Sotrez-Nizet designed the sewerage plan, AIDE drew up the standards and regulations, and Balaes collaborated with Deschacht for this custom-made project. The installation includes:
- a pump room
- a valve
- and a PE pressure pipe to pump the wastewater up over a distance of more than 100 meters.
Philippe Monseur, foreman at Balaes, explains:
“The tank had to be installed in the groundwater, so first we dried the pit and poured a concrete anchor slab to prevent pressure from groundwater.”
Polyester or polyethylene tanks?
All requirements of AIDE were strictly observed, except for one: Deschacht proposed to change the material of the two tanks. Dimitri Steilen, engineer at Deschacht, explains:
“The specifications called for reinforced polyester tanks, but we proposed polyethylene. Polyester is a standard material with limited customization options. Polyethylene allowed us to deliver completely waterproof and personalized tanks. For example, one of the tanks was equipped with a polyethylene ladder and a stainless steel waste basket. Thanks to our expertise, we were able to offer all guarantees.”
This approach and technical support were appreciated by Balaes. Philippe Monseur confirms:
“Deschacht's engineering department worked meticulously and responded quickly. They attended meetings and offered solutions all the way through to execution.”
The technical equipment in the tanks
The wastewater from the 120 homes passes through the pumps and equipment supplied by Ecosolutions. Deschacht collaborated with this specialized company for the installation of:
- pumps,
- closing systems,
- a flow meter,
- a control panel,
- and the connectivity with the AIDE control center.
“Such an installation requires specialized engineers and electricians, expertise that we do not have in-house. Deschacht's support was crucial for this complex project.”
Other techniques on the construction site
In addition to wastewater, rainwater was also efficiently drained using technologies and materials from Deschacht. These included polypropylene pipes, drainage systems, and a 60 m³ infiltration basin with Variobox elements installed beneath the road. This system is lightweight, quick to install, and resistant to high loads.
About the contractor
- Name: G. Balaes SA
- Activities: road construction and external works (earthworks, sewerage, linear elements, paving, asphalt paving, etc.)
- Founded in: 1922
- Employees: 40 people
