A pilot project for water-neutral living in the village of Silvorde in Gelderland has been named the most ingenious engineering project of the year. The Vernufteling, the annual award for unique engineering work, was therefore presented on Thursday to the consulting and engineering firm Aveco de Bondt, which was responsible for the project. The public prize went to the firm Witteveen+Bos.

This year, nine different engineering firms submitted a total of eleven projects, which were assessed by the jury on the basis of innovation, economic value, technological quality and social significance.

The water project in Heuvelstraat in Silvorde stood out for the jury. Rainwater is collected directly there, purified and used as drinking water in six of the homes. Thirteen homes in the social housing estate have been fitted with a Hydraloop: a system that purifies shower and wash water after use so that it can be reused as flushing water for the toilet. Wastewater from thirteen other homes is infiltrated into the ground via a local water treatment plant, rather than being discharged into the sewer system. This means the groundwater level drops less rapidly.

A sensible solution

‘This project embodies the mindset: we’re just going to go ahead and do it', said the jury, which went on to describe it as a ‘practical, well-executed and appealing solution to an urgent challenge.’

According to the jury report, the team at Aveco de Bondt en partners in Heuvelstraat brought many elements together, making it a fine example of contemporary engineering.

Architectural and engineering consultancy Sweco and consultancy and engineering firm TAUW were also nominated, with solutions for mini-heat networks and for the removal of PFAS from groundwater, respectively.

Driver agility

Bas Harmsen, who accepted the award on behalf of Aveco de Bondt, described it as a reward for hard work. He paid particular tribute to all the partners involved in the project. ‘This project also required flexibility on the part of all the directors, and a willingness to contribute ideas.’

According to Harmsen, the fact that they managed to keep all the various parties, each with their own interests, on the same page throughout the project is largely down to project leader Martijn Stadhouder, who was unable to attend the award ceremony.

Audience Award

The public award went to the engineering firm Witteveen+Bos, which has developed a smart method for removing and destroying PFAS from wastewater. Of the nearly four thousand votes cast, over 16 per cent went to this project.

A bountiful harvest

The Vernufteling is an initiative of Koninklijke NLingenieurs and the engineering magazine De Ingenieur. The competition is open to all firms affiliated with the trade association and was held for the 21st time this year.

The jury, which spoke of a bountiful harvest and a good year, was chaired by Petra C. de Weerd-Nederhof, Professor of Innovation and Dean of Science at the Open University. The other jury members were Jenny May, Executive Committee member for water quality, sustainability and international affairs at the Union of Water Boards; Titia Bredée, director of Koninklijke NLingenieurs; William van Niekerk, operational director at Koninklijke Kuijpers; and Pancras Dijk, editor-in-chief of the engineering magazine De Ingenieur.


Photo: the jury with all the winners. Credit: Royal NLingenieurs