Alderwoman Petra Bais officially concluded the construction of the rainwater sewer on Beatrixstraat on Wednesday. The new sewer system will drain rainwater more quickly into the canal, significantly reducing the risk of flooding during heavy downpours. "The first step towards climate-proofing the city center has been taken," said Bais. Along with project leader Bart van der Willik and the youth fire department, who simulated a heavy downpour with their equipment, she demonstrated that the sprayed water quickly seeped into the ground.
“"It's crucial that the rainwater sewer system in Beatrixstraat is now in place," the alderman emphasized. "Due to climate change, we have to anticipate heavier downpours. Even then, residents and businesses must be able to count on staying dry." She referred to the extreme downpour in 2020, which caused significant disruption in the shopping area. Because research showed that the risk of flooding in Beatrixstraat and the surrounding area is higher than in other parts of the city, the municipality has prioritized the construction of the new sewer system.
Improvement of the entire neighborhood
The municipality will also implement climate change mitigation measures throughout the city center. Major maintenance work will also be carried out. The sewer system throughout the city center and the Oostsloot neighborhood will be replaced and improved. All streets will receive a new sewer system for wastewater disposal and a new one for rainwater disposal. Furthermore, as many downspouts as possible will be connected to the rainwater sewer system. This not only speeds up rainwater drainage, but is also more sustainable because the relatively clean water no longer needs to pass through a treatment plant.
Ready for the future
In addition to the construction of a new sewer system, public spaces will also be addressed. For example, the municipality will redesign streets so that rainwater is temporarily collected in the roadway during heavy downpours. Furthermore, more greenery will be added to the area, as this also helps retain water. This will ensure that the entire city center and the Oostslootbuurt neighborhood will be ready for the future. Next steps: Initial work on Koningstraat will begin in October. Preparations have already begun for the renovation of Keizerstraat, Oostslootstraat, and the surrounding area. More information about the plans for the area can be found at www.denhelder.nl/oostslootbuurt.
