“There are currently six alternatives with a focus on giving the Dender area space during heavy rains,” answers De Vlaamse Waterweg nv.

Gerardsbergen/Edgem. Last week, an article appeared in the newspaper Noos about the state of the dams in Gerardsbergen and Edegem. Internal sources indicate that the dams are worn out and that their operation is dangerous. In its response, De Vlaamse Waterweg indicated that it was doing everything in its power to find a solution. For example, there is the “Dundervale Water Strategic Plan Space”: “There are currently six alternatives with a focus on giving the Dundervale area space during heavy rainfall.” De Vlaamse Waterweg nv also states that it will do everything within its power to ensure the safety and well-being of employees as optimally as possible, including dedicated employee facilities.

In its response, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv indicated that it is keeping all options open to ensure the safety of the water in the Dender River. In October 2017, the environmental permit for the reconstruction of the dam complex in Gerardsbergen was cancelled. On 28 June 2023, an environmental permit was granted to De Vlaamse Waterweg by ministerial decree. On August 10, the non-profit organization Milefront Omar Watts (MOW) called for the implementation of this decision to be reversed.

Six alternatives
De Vlaamse Waterweg nv organized a consultation with the Ministry of Water and the city of Geraardsbergen. “An employee without authorization was present at that meeting. De Vlaamse Waterweg subsequently drafted a proposal to enter into consultations with the Board of Directors of the Ministry of Water. Unfortunately, this matter was not addressed.

“Partners (including the Ministry of Water) are involved in this through a participatory process and research on alternatives,” refers De Vlaamse Waterweg nv to the “Dendervallei Water Strategic Space Plan”. There are currently six alternatives with a focus on giving the dendre space during heavy rains, protecting buildings, and creating retention basins to protect urban centres. It is important to note that each of these alternatives depends on achieving the established policy, including rebuilding dams.

Safety and well-being of employees
De Vlaamse Waterweg would also like to emphasize that it cares about the safety and well-being of our employees: “For example, a consultation was held at the end of July, in response to concerns expressed by our employees. Accordingly, actions were formulated and recorded by various stakeholders. During September ‘A tour of all the artworks in Dindre has also been organized by the GDPR Service of the Flemish Government. These matters are also discussed within the OPWW (Prevention and Welfare at Work Consultation).’

“While all these works are being completed, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv is trying to manage the risks inherent in handling these dams and provide the necessary safety measures and work instructions, which are amended if necessary. For example, the operation of the barrier beams must always be carried out by two people .’

Facilities staff
‘Staff can use the facilities in the service buildings, such as the kitchen and sanitary facilities, although these facilities are old. To replace the decommissioned service building in Geraardsbergen, employees have the option of using the lock building in Wijngaardbrug, which is located within walking distance. Soon, shipping supervisors currently based at Idegem will also have access to the recently renovated and redesigned building in Zandbergen, including sanitary facilities and a kitchenette.

“Inspections of the businesses in question also remain ongoing, provided conditions permit this in a safe manner.”

Safety issue
“A successful and safe inspection of underwater weir chains using spacer beams can only be carried out at a specific flow rate. The Flemish Waterway relies on external weather conditions and water flow to carry out these inspections. The required water flow has recently been achieved in the Boven-Dender, which means that it can Finally carry out the planned inspection and measurement of the chains of the underwater dams in Geraardsbergen and Idegem. Further actions are being taken based on these inspections. However, the first conclusion is that most of the chains in Geraardsbergen and Idegem are in good condition. For your information: The chains (bad parts) have already been replaced ) A few years ago. The rotting of the concrete in the dam building at Idegem is known to De Vlaamse Waterweg and has already been passed on to the maintenance contractor. To be clear, this is a small and non-urgent task.

“With regard to maintenance work on the structures and buildings to be replaced in Geraardsbergen and Ideagem: if safety issues arise, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv will take the required measures,” De Vlaamse Waterweg nv concluded in its response.

Julian Borremans

Read also: https://www.nuus.be/2023/11/16/sluiken-en-stuken-in-geraardsbergen-en-idegem-in-erbarmelijke-staat/