At the Nijverdal drinking water abstraction site in the Netherlands, approximately 5.7 million m³ of groundwater is processed annually into drinking water for the Twente region. To guarantee the operational reliability of this crucial installation for the coming decades, AVK Nederland supplied an extensive package of Wouter Witzel butterfly valves for the complete upgrade of the facility.
Preventive replacement at a vital link
Overijssel sources its drinking water from 23 groundwater areas. Nijverdal Pumping Station is a key hub in this water supply, with a flow rate of approximately 1,000 m³ per hour. The growing water demand in Twente and the planned construction of tens of thousands of new homes by 2030 require the installation to remain continuously operational and reliable.
The existing butterfly valves in the filter hall, after 23 years of reliable service with a high number of operation cycles per year, are due for replacement. Because the plant’s filters require periodic maintenance, this is strategically the ideal moment to renew the valves as well. Project manager Martin Balm opted for a proactive approach: replacing them before wear leads to potential failures.
Proven quality of Wouter Witzel
The choice for the new valves is based on the excellent performance of the previous generation. The Wouter Witzel valves that have been in operation since 2003 have performed flawlessly throughout their entire service life. From a perspective of sustainability and reliability, the EVFS-i series has once again been selected.
An interesting detail: just like the drinking water itself, the butterfly valves also originate from Twente. Wouter Witzel has been an established name for over 60 years and is based in Losser, near Enschede, where craftsmanship and reliability are central.
Products supplied to the project:
- Butterfly valve EVFS-i DN150
- Butterfly valve EVFS-i DN100
- Butterfly valve EVFS-i DN300
All valves are equipped with a bare shaft and were supplied in the “Vitens colour” RAL7001. The EVFS-i butterfly valves from Wouter Witzel are designed for maximum reliability and a long service life in drinking water applications. One of the distinguishing features is the vulcanised rubber lining, which prevents corrosion beneath the lining and contributes to low operating torques. In combination with the well-engineered design and high-quality material selection, this results in a durable, low-maintenance and reliable solution.
Tailored logistics and installation
The materials have now been delivered on site and installation is in full progress. Given the critical nature of the pumping station, the work is being carried out in phases. In each session, the valves of three filters are replaced simultaneously, allowing the remaining filters to continue supplying drinking water to the reservoirs in Nijverdal, Raalte, and Borne.
Thanks to the close cooperation between AVK and the project management on site, deliveries align seamlessly with the tight installation schedule. This ensures that Nijverdal Pumping Station is once again equipped with a technically high-quality core that will guarantee a reliable water flow for the next 25 to 30 years.