Picture: © Ritchie Damwijk
The very first Detention Roof in the Netherlands was recently installed on the Vrumona business premises in the municipality of Bunnik. On November 8, 2021, the 588 m2 green roof was officially opened by local alderman Jocko Rensen. Thanks to this innovative green roof concept, the risk of flooding due to extreme precipitation on the site will be drastically reduced. The Detention Roof can store rainwater in a fully saturated state and discharge it in a delayed and controlled manner.
Making the Utrecht region more climate-proof
In recent years several green initiatives have emerged in the province of Utrecht. Detention Roof supplier Sempergreen recently signed a Declaration of Intent for Climate Adaptive Building with the Province of Utrecht with the aim of making the Utrecht region more climate-proof. Both Vrumona and Sempergreen are also participants of Green Business Club Bunnik. Thanks to this green initiative, the companies came into contact and were able to realize this ambitious green roof project together.
Sjors Wessels of Sempergreen, participant of Green Business Club Bunnik: “We are very pleased with the extensive collaboration that has been established to realize this innovative project. It shows that local initiatives in the field of sustainability can be an important basis for projects that make the region more climate resilient. By this initiative, Vrumona is taking an important first step in the field of preventing water problems at and around the business park.”
Preliminary exploration with the help of Water Board
At the start of the project, the parties involved mapped out issues that could cause flooding in the area together with Water Board ‘De Stichtse Rijnlanden’. This preliminary exploration showed that the business park where Vrumona is located at, is predominantly petrified and would benefit hugely from a Detention Roof. With the implementation of this Detention Roof, a large part of the water problem in the area will be solved, because water is discharged in a delayed and controlled manner. In the event of extreme precipitation the Detention Roof will relieve the sewer system. Moreover, the green roof system complies with governmental water policies, rainwater regulation and/or other, increasing requirements of municipalities and water boards.
Evelien Sanders-De Boer, General Manager of Vrumona: “This green roof is a wonderful example of local collaboration and fits in perfectly with the circular and sustainable mission that we have at Vrumona. Water is a crucial part of our product and a good and efficient water supply on our site is very important.”
