Urban Waterbuffer at Cromvlietpark, The Hague

The Cromvlietpark in Laakkwartier of The Hague has been renovated, freeing the land from pavement, making it more accessible and more attractive for inhabitants. The city had the ambition to manage rainwater more sustainably and instead of discharging it into the sewer, using it to improve the spatial quality of the park.

By capturing both stormwater received directly on the site, and also surface water from the neighbouring Noordpolder canal during the rainy season, the Bluebloqs system enables long-term storage of water in sufficient volumes to provide water for green space, community gardens and the urban animal farm located on the park.

Stormwater runoff from a paved surface of 8.500 m2, consisting of the surrounding streets, roofs and walkways in the park is collected via storm drains and directed to a buffer tank of 70 m3, placed underneath a soccer field. Collection of surface water is enabled via a connection to the Noordpolder canal. From the buffer tank or surface water inlet, water is fed to a BlueBiofilter of 30m2. Following treatment in the BlueBiofilter, the water is infiltrated by gravity to an aquifer unit at a depth of 19-29 meter, via an infiltration well. A separate abstraction well supplies water to a tap in the park. Water is used for irrigation of fields and gardens within the Cromvliet Park.