The growing company Frank van der Burg, based in Berkel en Rodenrijs, started testing water-storing greenhouse roofs last week. The use of greenhouse roofs to store water, a concept developed by Royal HaskoningDHV, is intended to reduce the future risk of flooding in horticultural areas. Additionally, it contributes to the effective use of rainwater in times of drought.
In areas with a large concentration of greenhouses, the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall is very large. Rainwater rushes unstopped from the roofs and there is barely any ground to absorb it.
By temporarily holding it on the roofs, water can be then released gradually onto canals and pumping stations. Water Control specialist Arie van den Berg says that "in this way, growers create extra space for the water without sacrificing precious ground. If tests are successful, the risk of flooding will be significantly reduced in the future."
Practical and sustainable
Frank van der Burg affirms that "I love working to bring this innovation one step further. The investment costs are low, and moreover, accumulating the water from a summer storm on the roofs is also beneficial for me as an entrepreneur, as demand for irrigation water is at its highest in the summer and the rainwater from my roof can be saved. This is practical and sustainable."
In these practical tests, what is being studied are the requirements to make the storing of water possible. The concept of the water-storing roof was created by Royal HaskoningDHV. The further development was possible thanks to Frank van der Burg BV, Rabobank Westland, the South Holland Province, the Westland and Langsingerland Municipalities, TNO and Delfland.
Source: Royal HASkoning DHV