TREASURE
What's going to happen?
The water board is participating in the Interreg project TREASURE together with a number of European partners. TREASURE is an acronym for Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea. The partners are water managers, knowledge institutes, and consultancies from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France: countries located around the North Sea. In this three-year international research project, the parties are working together to reduce the amount of macroplastics flowing from our waterways into the North Sea.
Where is the project taking place?
At De Helsdeur pumping station, municipality of Den Helder
When will the project take place and how long will it last?
The project will run from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2026.
Who do we work with?
In this project, HHNK is collaborating with Noria Sustainable Innovators.
Results
This research project focuses on four interrelated themes.
- Policy and management
- Prevention and behavioral change
- Data collection and analysis
- The application of various techniques to collect and remove plastic waste from rivers and ports
Each region in the North Sea area implements a combination of policy and management, data collection, awareness-raising, and plastic removal activities. This is done through so-called living labs. HHNK focuses on developing practical solutions and promoting regional cooperation in its living lab. At the De Helsdeur pumping station, we are researching how plastic is spread through the water system and which monitoring and collection systems can be used to prevent plastic pollution. In terms of distribution, we are looking at where the macroplastic comes from (origin), the route it has taken, and its destination.
Water quality
We continuously conduct research into water quality. This enables us to gain a thorough understanding of the ecological system in our management area and, together with partners, take better measures in places where water quality is poor. Since 2016, we have also been focusing on pollution caused by microplastics and macroplastics. An awareness campaign has taken the first steps towards the development of innovative removal techniques for macroplastics. At the Wieringerwerf sewage treatment plant, experiments have been conducted with a bubble screen to investigate the behaviour microplastics. Participation in TREASURE is a next step towards better water quality and, with it, we are investing in international knowledge exchange on the four themes.
Interreg
The Interreg North Sea-program is a European subsidy scheme for spatial and regional development. Parties from different countries collaborate on projects that fall under this Interreg scheme. The aim of thisprogramme to stimulate European cooperation, combat border barriers, and learn from each other.
Budget
The total budget for the HHNK project is approximately €190,000. Of this, 60% is co-financed by the European Interreg North Sea Programme 2021-2027.
Want to know more?
For more information about this project, please contact us via ourcontact formor by calling 072 - 582 8282.