Due to heavy rain showers, there is more frequent flooding. The municipality asks residents with enough outdoor space to allow the rainwater to drain (infiltrate) into their own garden. This is possible with an infiltration crate. You can have these delivered free of charge for existing buildings.
What do you need to know
The municipality wants to prevent nuisance from rainwater as much as possible. Infiltration crates can be used for this.
- These crates are connected underground to the downspout
- Rain flows through the drainpipe into the crates, where it is temporarily stored
- The rainwater slowly sinks into the soil via the crates, to eventually reach the groundwater
- It is a plastic crate with a size of 0,5 x 0,4 x 1 meter
- It is possible to bury several crates in the garden
Benefits
- Rain from your roof does not drain into the sewer. This reduces flooding
- Provides enough groundwater for a longer period of time. This is good for trees and plants in dry periods
- Doesn't take up space above the ground
Check whether your garden is suitable
- You must have enough space around your house or property
- The groundwater must be deeper than 1 meter. That is the case in most places in Hilversum. Only in the Hilversumse Meent and Kerkelanden is the groundwater higher. There it is better to let the rainwater run directly into the ground
- Visit our Soil Information page whether data is available regarding soil contamination in your area
To find out if your garden is suitable, you can do the bucket test. It works as follows:
- Dig a hole of 30 centimeters deep in various places in the garden
- Pour a bucket of water into the holes
- If the water drains away within 15 minutes, the rainwater sinks well into the soil. This means that your garden is suitable for infiltration crates. Has the water not completely subsided after an hour? Then the soil is not so suitable for an infiltration crate
- Place the infiltration crate at a distance of at least 1 meter (preferably 2 meters) from your foundation (walls)
- Place the infiltration crate at a distance of at least 1 meter (preferably 2 meters) from trees. Otherwise, the tree roots can damage the infiltration crate
What do you have to do
- You can order by sending an email to sewer@hilversum.nl
- A maximum of 4 crates are available per home or building
- 50 or 2 crates are needed per 3m4 roof surface
- The municipality will supply the free infiltration crates as long as there is enough stock
- Due to the great interest and problems with delivery, it may take longer before the infiltration crates are delivered
Place infiltration crates
- You must install and maintain the crates yourself
- Under a driveway, the infiltration crate should be placed approximately 40-50 centimeters below the top layer. Under a garden, the infiltration crate should be placed approximately 20-30 centimeters below the top layer
- If you find it difficult to install the infiltration crates, a gardener can help you with the installation
- You will find a lot of information and videos on the internet about installing and maintaining the crates
- A leaf catcher and sand trap can prevent a lot of dirt from the gutter from ending up in the crate. This way the crate does not become clogged
Other measures to collect rainwater
- Replace tiles/stones from your garden with greenery. Plants, shrubs and grass help to sink water into the soil
- Collect rainwater with a rain barrel. You can then reuse this rainwater to water the plants in your garden
- You can disconnect your downspout from the sewer and let it run towards the greenery in your garden. This allows rainwater to sink into the soil near plants, shrubs or grass
What does it cost
Having an infiltration crate delivered is free. Please note that you will have to pay for PVC pipes or fittings, a leaf catcher or sand trap and other construction costs yourself.
Example of an infiltration crate connected to the downspout.
Source: Brakenhoff
