The municipality of Bergen op Zoom and Brabant Water have started constructing a water storage cellar at sports park Rozenoord. This cellar stores residual water released during nearby drinking water production. From spring 2026, the water will be used to irrigate the sports fields. This will save 10 million liters of drinking water annually. The Province of North Brabant has helped make this initiative possible through financial support via a subsidy scheme.
Alderman Hans Peter Verroen of the municipality of Bergen op Zoom emphasizes the importance of using drinking water sparingly: “In West Brabant, the drinking water supply is seriously under pressure. Therefore, every initiative that contributes to water saving is valuable. With this project, we show that this can be done in many different ways. I am proud of everyone who has turned this creative idea into a concrete and effective saving solution. In addition, 250 parking spaces are being built directly next to the water storage cellar for visitors to the sports park.”
Ten million liters
Brabant Water produces drinking water near the sports park for Bergen op Zoom and the surrounding area. During drinking water production, a small amount of water remains that is needed to rinse the filters. The rinse water is recovered and treated back into drinking water, but even then a small part of the water remains.
“It is great that we have been able to find a good application for that last part of residual water,” says Karlijn van der Heijden, sector director at Brabant Water. “With that water, we will soon fill this cellar so that the municipality can irrigate the sports field with it. This will save 10 million liters of drinking water annually here. That corresponds to the annual drinking water use of about 220 people.”
Importance of circular water use
The project is a collaboration between the municipality of Bergen op Zoom and Brabant Water. The Province of North Brabant has helped make the initiative possible through financial support via a subsidy scheme. This underlines the importance of circular water use, which positively contributes to the objectives of the Drought Agenda.
Saskia Boelema, deputy of the Province of North Brabant: “With this project, we show how cooperation and innovation contribute to a more robust water system in Brabant. By giving rinse water a useful destination, we save valuable drinking water and strengthen our groundwater supply. These kinds of solutions are essential to make our province resilient to drought and water shortages.”
Water and soil at the Province of North Brabant
The Province of North Brabant works through the Water and Soil program on clean and sufficient water, a vital soil, flood safety, and climate-resilient design. These form the basis for our prosperity, health, and safety. Read more about the Water and Soil program
