With the help of the European LIFE Belini fund, VIVAQUA has adapted the first of the three large “Combined Sewer Overflows”, near the Rampe du Lion at Nouveau Maalbeek. This overflow is located in Brussels, at the crossroads between the outfall collector and the New Maelbeek collector, and provides an overflow between the sewerage network and the Senne during rainy periods.
During heavy rainfall this combined sewer overflow infrastructure frequently allowed water from the sewage to flow into the Senne. Elevating the wall from this overflow infrastructure in the sewers will result in a significant decrease of overflow events, overflow volumeand fewer oxygen crises for the aquatic life of the Senne (macro invertebrates, fish).
An automatic cleaning device between the overflow and Brussels North wastewater treatment plant will ensure the proper hydraulic operation of the collector towards the future. This will be installed next year, slightly later than planned, due to the delay in delivery caused by the COVID-19 situation.
However, effects of the elevated sewer overflow and the first thorough cleaning of the collector during works by VIVAQUA can already be seen in terms of the water quality of the Senne.
Therefore Brussels Environment will already start with monitoring begin 2021, to measure the real impact of the works that have been done.
