Assembly of the PFAS Soil Treatment Facility

Contractor BAM has recently completed the layout of the site. Large concrete blocks now form the feed hoppers for contaminated soil, sludge and clean sand, all installed on a liquid‑tight concrete floor. Liquid‑tight asphalt has been laid around this area to create a dedicated route for lorry movements. Thanks to this impermeable surfacing, nothing can seep into the underlying ground.

Water basins have also been constructed along the edge of the site to store rainwater, which is reused in the treatment process. In this way, all (rain)water is retained on site and there is no discharge. With this, the foundations are complete and the site layout is now clearly visible.

DEME has meanwhile started assembling the soil treatment facility itself. Components are being transported from storage locations in Dordrecht and at Schiphol and are being carefully fitted together on site. Major elements are now in position, including conveyor belts for transporting the soil, an electrical container for the power supply, large dewatering screens and so‑called cyclones. Inside the cyclones, sand is separated from sludge through a swirling motion, much like in a centrifuge. The sand then proceeds to the washing process.

Progress is rapid; most of the facility will be in place by the end of April. DEME has extensive experience in this field. Comparable soil treatment facilities for PFAS‑contaminated soil are already in operation at several locations in Belgium and in Den Helder.

By the end of May, the entire soil treatment facility will be ready to start cleaning soil. Various tests will take place in June to ensure that everything operates safely and correctly. The actual cleaning of the soil is scheduled to begin in July.

We will keep you informed.