Quality of the water

To prevent contamination of surface water most of the port area is connected to the sewer system. Wastewater from port companies runs through this to a waste water treatment plant after which the treated water is then conveyed to the surface water.

Pollution of Surface Waters Act
For the North Sea Canal Region the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management applies the Pollution of Surface Waters Act (WVO). The Nautical department provides assistance.

Inspection of:

• illegal dumping
• (threatening) contamination due to careless behaviour
• reporting accidents

One objective of the WVO is to restrict surface water heating. When choosing a location for companies which use cooling water, we bear in mind the effect of the discharges on surface water temperatures.

More information?

• Port of Amsterdam, Nautical department, telephone: +31 (0) 20 - 523 4759, e-mail havendienst@portofamsterdam.nl

Soil management

The Port of Amsterdam issues Westpoort sites on (long) lease. A contract typically shows the results of a soil investigation carried out shortly before the contract date. If soil contamination is then established when the company departs, the company itself will have to remove the contamination or it can 'buy off' the soil remediation or sanitation costs. According to Westpoort's 'soil quality map' contamination at most sites is negligible. Some locations used to suffer severe contamination. Together with company residents we seek pragmatic and innovative soil sanitation solutions.

Quality of water bottoms

Port of Amsterdam is also responsible for the 'water bottoms' of port basins and the proper quality of these. Dredging activities separate contaminated sludge from non-contaminated sludge. All slightly or moderately contaminated sludge is stored in one of the port's two underwater depots. Processing strongly contaminated dredging spoil is a problem throughout the Netherlands. The port is launching a pilot project to treat this type of released spoil on or along the site adjacent to the relevant water. Subsequently the material is mixed with a type of cement and the resulting mix used to harden or surface the port sites.

More information?

• Port of Amsterdam, Engineering departement, telephone: +31 (0) 20 - 523 4529, e-mail infra@portofamsterdam.nl

Air pollution

In port areas it is usually dust and stench which determine the seriousness of the contamination. Port of Amsterdam thus emphasises the reduction of these two factors. National standards apply to this.

Noise pollution

Every port suffers from noise and to limit this pollution the government has introduced the concept of the 'noise zone', areas in which more liberal standards apply as to noise levels. Westpoort has been a noise zone since 1993. Inside the zone noise levels may reach over 50 dB(A)- per 24 hours.

Outside the zones the noise produced by companies on industrial premises may not exceed an average of 50 dB(A). Inside a noise zone it is only possible to build homes if the province offers exemption.

More information?

• Port of Amsterdam, Engineering department, telephone: +31 (0) 20 - 523 4536, e-mail infra@portofamsterdam.nl

Waste and its reuse

Companies in Westpoort pay great attention to the avoidance of waste and its responsible discharge. The Port of Amsterdam assists companies by tackling specifically a number of issues.

Approach to responsible waste discharge

• collection of sewage of river-cruise ships
• collection of household refuse from sea-going and inland navigation vessels
• collective waste collection
• reuse and useful application of soil flows and construction and demolition waste
• reuse of dredging spoil

More information?

• Port of Amsterdam, Strategy & Research, telephone: +31 (0) 20 - 523 4835, e-mail so@portofamsterdam.nl

International co-operation

The Port of Amsterdam takes an active part in the EcoPorts project. The purpose of this research programme is to standardise environmental management in involved ports. EcoPorts also facilitates an exchange of environmental management experience and makes sure proven applications are implemented. A consultation platform has been founded for this cause.

More information?

Ecoports, tel: +31 (0) 70 - 3523 361