The Campus as a testing ground brings forth many promising pilots and products. This now includes the Water Wall, that catches rainwater in vertical pipes and stores it. This invention is aimed at making climate adaptation possible, even in inner cities. The innovation the Water Wall was invented by three students of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, during their graduation paper in 2017: Julia Klaassens, Caspar Dohle en Jeroen van Luyn. And now, on November 26, a Water Wall has been officially set to work by the Deltacommissaris Peter Glas and alderman Glimina Chakor of the municipality of Groningen, at the Riolab on the climate testing ground at EnTranCe on Zernike Campus, the place where the idea originated from and where by now, 15 innovations are tested. Read more in the article below that appeared in the online magazine Waterforum.

Deltacommissaris Peter Glas set the Water Wall to work in the climate testing ground on the Zernike Campus in Groningen on 26 November. This innovation to catch rainwater, store it and put it to use for among other things, infiltration and irrigation, has been marketed by Jenifer van Dijk of Amfibia Solutions in Zwolle. “The aim is to do further research after the system. For instance, we will attach sensors to measure the quality of the rainwater soon.”

The Water Wall catches rainwater in vertical pipes and stores it. By doing so, it helps to lessen flooding and drought. The Water Wall is connected to the drain pipe. Therefore, the rainwater ends up in the storage pipes in stead of the sewer. “The water is, among other things, usable for infiltration in the soil, the irrigation of gardens and green rooftops of cleaning work", saysVan Dijk. 

Compensate for the effects of extreme weather

When the pipes are full, the Water Wall automatically stops filling it. The water then runs through an open curved channel to the adjacent water retaining parking lot of PolyCiviel. The Water Wall is  unique according to her, because the system responds to the challenges to compensate for extreme weather in densely built urban surroundings.

The Water Wall responds to this by storing the water in height, using very little ground surface. At the same time, the Water Wall offers a visible way to start the conversation on climate adaptation with civilians and other parties. The system is also modular, so the system can be adapted easily in different circumstances. 

Three students

The idea of the  Water Wall was invented by three students of the Hanze University during their paper at bureau NoorderRuimte in 2017: Julia Klaassens, Caspar Dohle and Jeroen van Luyn. They were aided by lector Floris Boogaard and researchers Michael Bosscher and Jonathan Tipping of the lectureship Ruimtelijke Transformaties-Water of the Knowledge Center (Kenniscentrum) NoorderRuimte. Jenifer van Dijk, at the time trainee at Vitens, was involved in the team of the Hanze University.

Research

The pipe system has been installed by now in Leeuwarden, Zwolle and in Groningen as well. The Water Wall on the climate testing ground at Zernike Campus is mainly meant to do further research. For instance, sensors will be attached to the pipes to measure the quality of the rain water. That is necessary for future use in homes. For now, this is not a reality yet, according to Van Dijk. “We will be testing a lot in Groningen, validate research output and incorporate user experience to improve the system."

Source article: waterforum.nl
Header photo: Deltacommissaris Peter Glas sets the Water Wall ito work together with alderman Glimina Chakor on Zernike Campus (photographer: Piet Zijlstra)