60 Dutch growers invest in Water Purification Cooperative

The system has been developed by Aqua-Terra Nova, which previously also developed Aqua ReUse. This system is different, says Aqua-Terra Nova director Aad Wubben. "In this system, the purification only concerns horticultural water. It barely contains any organic material. This requires a different way of purification."

The sixty member companies come from the regions of Raaphorst-Tiend, Waalblok and Lange Stucken. In total they have 160 hectares of greenhouses. It concerns open field growers, potted plant growers, ornamentals growers and hydroponic greenhouse growers. The growers are expected to deliver 300,000 to 500,000m3 of water annually. Pesticide and nutrients residues will be removed from this water.

The purification system will be realized in a small greenhouse and silos with a combined surface area in excess of 3000m2. In September, the construction of the system will have to start.

The costs of purifying amounts to 1100 euro per hectare and according to Aad this has been an important reason for the high participation rate. "This price is that low that it is interesting for companies. Growers are completely care-free for 1100 euros when it comes to environmental regulations." That low price is achieved by combining techniques from industry and horticulture. "We do not work in expensive buildings - we just go for simple greenhouses and silos," Aad explains.

As another important reason for the success of the cooperative Aad highlights the role of the administrators. "The local authorities are very close to the growers. They really have taken a risk for the system and have explained the pros and cons to hesitating growers."