T
he
DPOD project - Decontamination of run-off waters with permeable road structures – is a project granted by the Walloon Region in the framework of the Collective Research 2012 call.
The four partners are: the
CRR - Belgian Road Research Centre –, the
CEWAC – Walloon research centre of assembly and material control, the
CWBI (ULg) - WalloonCentreof Industrial Biology, and the
CELABOR.
Context
For several years now, a growing number of areas are being covered with impermeable materials, which increases the risk of flooding, less efficient groundwater recharge, etc.
In this context,
road permeable structures have been developed to allow the infiltration of rainwater into the floor and ground, and give a “storm basin” effect due to the delay of infiltration and storage in the road structures.
However, the
risks of pollution of soil and groundwater by pollutants from vehicles are questionable. Therefore, the research project focuses on these risks.
Objectives
The objective of this research project is to
assess the possibility of decontamination using permeable structures and to investigate how the effectiveness of decontamination can be improved.
Micro organisms will be incorporated in these structures
in order to degrade pollutants.
Research
The research began with a highlighting of
pollutants which can be found in road structures.
The continuation of the research focuses on
purifying the character of the structure itself, as well as the contribution of specific
microorganisms to degrade pollutants : how to grow them, how to integrate them into the structures, how to maintain them alive.
Then, the decontamination effectiveness of permeable structures will be evaluated on a pilot scale. The pilot will be designed according to specifications taking into account the materials of the drainage structure, the rainfall data, the pollutants founded in runoff and the micro-organisms introduced in the structure. Experimental data will confirm the efficiency of the decontamination structure and the evolution of the bacterial population.
Finally, this project will establish
constructive advice practices adapted to each situation and easily applied by road builders.