Major ecological boost for the Meuse: 15 restoration projects awarded to green consortium
Fifteen ecological restoration projects along the Meuse will soon begin, aiming to enhance biodiversity and water quality. The contract, awarded to a consortium using electric machinery, marks a significant step toward meeting EU Water Framework Directive goals by 2027.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Awarded To | Consortium: Ploegam, GMB, Dura Vermeer |
| Number of Measures | 15 |
| Contract Type | Design & Construct (D&C) |
| Primary Award Criterion | Environmental impact (lowest ecological footprint) |
| Machinery Used | Electric fleet, including vessels with interchangeable batteries |
| Project Name | KRW7 (7th Water Framework Directive implementation package for the Meuse) |
| Deadline for Completion | December 31, 2027 |
| Locations | Lower Meuse, Bergsche Meuse, northern Grensmaas, Zandmaas, Terrassenmaas |
| Key Measures | - Flowing channels in northern Grensmaas |
| - Restoration of seepage channels and stream mouths | |
| - Side channel restoration near 's-Hertogenbosch | |
| - Nature-friendly bank channels and tidal channels | |
| - 20-hectare floodplain creation | |
| Goal | Improve biodiversity and ecological water quality |
Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch executive agency for infrastructure and water management, is responsible for implementing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the Netherlands. This includes overseeing ecological restoration projects to improve water quality and biodiversity in rivers like the Meuse.
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Contract awarded for implementation of 15 ecological restoration measures along the Meuse
Published on: March 18, 2026, 4:54 PM
In mid-March 2026, a new implementation contract was awarded to the consortium Ploegam, GMB, and Dura Vermeer. The contract covers fifteen ecological restoration measures in and along the Meuse and is a so-called D&C contract.
Sustainable operations
Rijkswaterstaat used environmental cost valuation as the primary award criterion. In simpler terms, this means that the bid is rated higher the less impact it has on the environment.
The consortium Ploegam, GMB, and Dura Vermeer scored highest in this area, and combined with their bid amount, they won the tender. They have an extensive electric machinery fleet, including multiple electric vessels with interchangeable batteries. This provides a positive starting point for this contract in terms of environmental impact.
The name of the implementation contract KRW7 refers to the fact that this is the seventh Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation package for the Meuse, which is being put out to market.
Timeline of restoration measures
The consortium Ploegam, GMB, and Dura Vermeer will now begin preparing the work and developing the schedule for the fifteen measures.
For some of the work, certain procedures are still ongoing, such as permits and land acquisition. By awarding the contract now, part of the measures can already be initiated. The rest will follow once all procedures have been completed.
By choosing this approach, we can work faster. This is necessary because we aim to meet the deadline of the end of December 2027. This is the date by which all measures under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) policy must be implemented.
Content of restoration measures
The measures are located in and along the Lower Meuse, Bergsche Meuse, the northern Grensmaas, and the Zandmaas.
Each intervention is carefully tailored to the characteristics of the specific area and water body. In addition to 'de-stoning' the Meuse banks, more complex measures are also being carried out. For example:
- creating flowing channels in the northern Grensmaas by connecting gravel pits to the river
- restoring seepage channels and improving two stream mouths along the Terrassenmaas
- restoring a side channel flowing parallel to the west of 's-Hertogenbosch
- creating nature-friendly bank channels and a tidal channel along the Bergsche Meuse
- creating a small floodplain of approximately 20 hectares along the Bergsche Meuse
All of this aims to ensure the greatest possible variety of habitats and, consequently, the greatest possible biodiversity in aquatic life.
More information about these measures can be found on the website Samen Werken aan Riviernatuur. We will inform the surrounding area as soon as the execution plan is finalized, among other channels via the website.
Water Framework Directive
Since 2010, we have been working on the ecological restoration of the Meuse under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Its goal is to improve and protect all surface water in Europe.
Part of this involves ensuring that these waters provide suitable habitats for the aquatic plants and animals that belong there. This also applies to rivers such as the Meuse. This way, biodiversity can increase, and the ecological water quality can improve.
Implementation of the WFD Meuse measures is being carried out in phases, largely through implementation contracts consisting of multiple measures. Information on other projects we are preparing, tendering, or implementing can be found on the site Samen Werken aan Riviernatuur and/or via the clickable project map.