Sibelco sand quarry Donk as a water buffer: added value for economy, ecology and nature
A tilting weir was recently installed in the overflow ditch of the Donk sand quarry in Dessel, from which sand is extracted by the international materials company Sibelco. This captures water in the quarry that would otherwise continually drain into the Witte Nete. The sand quarry can thus serve as a water buffer and add undeniable value to the economy, ecology and nature in the surrounding region.
Blue Deal climate pond
This weir is part of the KlimaatPlassen ('climate ponds') demo space within the Blue Deal project Flanders WaterProof, led by VITO. In this project, VITO, Sibelco, the governor of the province of Antwerp, Pidpa, the Flemish Government and more partners are working together to find smart solutions for water buffering and drinking water production in this part of the Campine region. The recently built tilting weir at the Donk quarry is a clever example of innovation in this regard. 'It provides an answer to climate adaptation,' says Bart Daems, Director of Sustainability at Sibelco. 'It allows us to capture and buffer water during wet periods and make it available again during drought-prone periods. That water can then be used for various purposes, such as irrigation for agriculture, maintaining waterways that are ecologically valuable, or making that water available toward industry.'
Economic benefit
The weir makes it possible to buffer up to 150,000 m³ of water. In addition, it offers the possibility of using the daily overflow volume of about 10,000 m³ as an alternative water source. In the coming period, we will look at how the buffered water – when not needed to feed the Witte Nete – can be an alternative for the industry or groundwater use by local farmers. 'Thanks to the weir, the water level can rise up to 50 cm,' says provincial governor Cathy Berx. 'Therefore, this project is very valuable because it ensures that we are less likely to have to impose a capture ban on farmers, and can give them a greater guarantee of water availability.'
Strong partnership between Sibelco and VITO
The solutions developed by VITO for the Donk quarry are the result of years of collaboration between both organisations. As a materials company, Sibelco plays an important economic role in the region, but obviously its activities also have an impact on the immediate surroundings of the sand quarries. VITO has been supporting Sibelco for nearly 30 years, including in making sand extraction more sustainable. Water management is a very important factor in this. 'VITO has extensive knowledge in the context of water resources management, using the expertise available in hydrology, hydrogeology, geology and material and ecosystem knowledge, which we are happy to offer to a party such as Sibelco to accelerate their sustainability transition,' says Jan Bronders of the Water team at VITO.
Example of nature development and landscaping
In Sibelco's Donk quarry, high-quality quartz sand has been extracted for more than a century. But great efforts have also been made in its surroundings in recent years to encourage nature development. The clever landscaping of the west and north sides of the site with a viewing hill and a new walking path not only provide recreational opportunities but are at the same time a pole of attraction for wild pollinators that can boost wildlife development. Accordingly, Sibelco is a partner in the 'Green Deal Wild Pollinators in extraction areas'. 'Sustainability and partnerships are essential to us. We are very proud of this project, for and in this region where economy, science, nature and tourism come together,' concludes Bart Daems, Director of Sustainability at Sibelco.
Partners
Within the KlimaatPlassen demo space, VITO is working with governor Cathy Berx, Sibelco, Pidpa, the Flanders Environment Agency, Voka Mechelen-Kempen, the province of Antwerp, De Vlaamse Waterweg, the Agency for Nature and Forests, and the municipalities of Mol and Dessel.