Bicycle path along Eemskanaal near Garmerwolde will be inaccessible for the next two weeks due to renovation of De Drie Delfzijlen pumping station

Starting next Monday, the bike path at Bronssluis/Slimsluizen in Garmerwolde will be closed for two weeks because the existing emergency drainage pipes will be reconnected. The emergency drainage system was installed in June to pump the persistent rainwater from the Damsterdiep to the Eemskanaal. This was necessary because the De Drie Delfzijlen pumping station is being renovated and electrified and was therefore operating at half capacity. 
Capacity will also be reduced over the next two weeks. During this period, the emergency pumps will pump out the excess water in the event of light rainfall, so that the work can be completed as quickly as possible. In the event of heavy rainfall, the Brons diesel engine, which is still operational, can be used.

Renovation of De Drie Delfzijlen pumping station led to the installation of two pumps at Slimsluizen

During the conversion to electric drive, only one pump was available to drain the excess water. In June – normally a dry period – it became apparent that this pump was unable to drain the excess water quickly enough due to persistent heavy rainfall. For this reason, it was decided to deploy emergency drainage at the Slimsluizen locks in Garmerwolde. The weather has been drier recently, so the pumps have not been needed. The pipes have therefore been temporarily disconnected so that local residents can use the cycle path again.

Continued reduced capacity at De Drie Delfzijlen in the coming period

On Monday, August 26, construction of one of the two new electric motors will begin at the pumping station. This means that the capacity of the pumping station will be reduced in the event of heavy rainfall. When the tide is favorable, De Drie Delfzijlen can be drained by gravity.  In addition, we have decided to switch on the emergency pumps in the event of light rainfall in order to drain off excess water more quickly.

Bronze diesel engine is used in case of extreme precipitation

In extreme cases, the remaining Brons diesel engine (which will be dismantled after electrification) can still be used. However, because many people will be working at the pumping station in the coming period due to the renovation, it is not desirable to use this engine. The diesel engine will only be switched on in the event of extreme rainfall.