Adaptation to soil instability and salinization

The project site, a deep polder in the Province of Utrecht, is subject to intensive seepage, boils and uncertainty over soil stability. Over the past years the local water board and the province cooperated in developing sustainable long term planning for the polder. Within the context of these planning activities Acacia Water was asked to develop a series of solution strategies to cope with the mentioned threats.

The solution strategies proposed to the water managers are the result of an in-depth case study. An extensive fieldwork campaign allowed for comparison and validation of the strategies. A numeric groundwater model was used to evaluate the impact of the proposed interventions. The decision making process weighted the impact of proposed interventions for the polder itself and for its surroundings. In a final stage, the appointed preferential solution strategies were presented to and discussed with stakeholders.

The approved strategies supported the development of long term sustainable planning and water management policies in the polder.