Rainwater ambassadors to encourage downspout disconnection in Deventer
Draining rainwater into the garden rather than discharging into the sewer: individual residents can thus help to relieve pressure on the sewer system during severe precipitation. The municipality of Deventer has launched the Rainwater Ambassadors project to encourage residents to disconnect their downspouts. Enthusiastic municipal staff fulfil their ambassadorial duties by motivating people in their immediate surroundings and interested participants to public meetings to disconnect.
Many residents of the de Worp neighbourhood have already disconnected their downspouts. In addition, groups of residents in the Zandweerd, Colmschate, Diepenveen, and Keizerslanden neighbourhoods have commenced disconnecting.
The video film below shows how Pim and Pauline Alberti, residents of the Diepenveen neighbourhood, have disconnected their downspout in order to allow rainwater to infiltrate in their garden.
The underlying principle of the rainwater ambassadors is that practical examples will encourage and enthuse others to follow suit. After all, example is often better than precept. The collaborating parties are inviting residents, businesses, and associations to actively engage in the climate and take measures of their own. This can be achieved in relatively simple ways, such as disconnecting downspouts, or introducing more “green” in gardens rather than pavement.
Lessons to be learned from the project
In many cases, proper information is the only thing needed to disconnect downspouts. How much water will I need to infiltrate? What type of soil does my garden have? Which solution would be feasible in my garden? By answering these questions, taking the step towards disconnecting will become much easier.
Contact person
Edwin van der Strate
Tauw
0570 6994 09
edwin.vanderstrate@tauw.com