With the increase in building and surface hardening, the rainwater system with approximately 90 kilometres of pipes has been overloaded more often than not in recent years. Hedemora is located in the valley through which an important traffic route also runs, which cuts through the city. Underground, three sewage pipes come together below an important traffic intersection, ending in one sewage pipe which passes under the road.
Dutchman Michael Heijting, who previously worked as a contractor at Reimer Construction and Infrastructure in Almere (NL) and as a water level manager at the water board in Coevorden (NL), has been “Projektör” at Hedemora Energi for several years and, in that capacity, initiated this innovative project. He brought the Dutch way of thinking that led to a solution for the flooding.
The client was Hedemora Energi, which provides district heating in the area and is also responsible for data cabling, drinking water supply and the sewerage system.
Sweden rainproof
We’ve known for a long time in the Netherlands that you only move the problem if you transport the water with pipes. Retaining the rainwater for a while is the best solution when you have to handle large quantities of water. If you can then release it in a controlled manner, you can prevent problems in lower-lying locations. This way of thinking is new here in Sweden. The first reaction is always to make the pipes larger so that more water can pass through. But we cannot simply enlarge around 90 km of sewer pipe in the urban areas here, that would be much too expensive.
Hedemora, Sweden
Project location
