In the newly developed residential area of Boskoop in Alphen aan den Rijn, rainwater is being treated as a serious and sustainable resource. Johan Bel of MijnWaterFabriek demonstrates how, with an innovative system, more than 90% of potable water can be saved and over 40% of wastewater can be reduced in a private home. This is achieved through a smart and fully circular water system, in which rainwater is reused twice within the household.
Rainwater gets a second and third life
In collaboration with the Rotteveel family, the system captures rainwater from the roof into an underground 10,000-liter tank. The SafeWater system purifies this water, after which it is used for the shower, bathtub, washbasins, fountain, utility tap, and garden tap. Afterwards, the used shower and bath water is purified again via the Hydraloop system and reused for the washing machine and toilet.
Only the kitchen still uses mains drinking water. Thanks to this efficient reuse cycle, rainwater is used to its full potential, and the use of regular drinking water is kept to an absolute minimum.
Johan Bel: “What’s happening here is the future”
Johan Bel, initiator from MijnWaterFabriek, is proud of the result:
“This pilot home is proof that far-reaching circular water use is not only technically possible, but also feasible in practice. The technology is available—now it’s time to scale up.”
He emphasizes that the system not only drastically reduces drinking water consumption, but also contributes to mitigating rainwater overload during peak showers—an increasingly urgent issue in a changing climate.
Ten-year monitoring
The project will be carefully monitored over a ten-year period. Four water meters will track water consumption—from both purified rainwater and the limited use of mains water. Drinking water company Vitens will also carry out structural measurements of water quality, to ensure it meets drinking water standards.
Collaborating on the water transition
This project was made possible through collaboration between the Rotteveel family, the Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, the Province of South Holland, Rijnland Water Authority, drinking water company Oasen, and technology providers Hydraloop, MijnWaterFabriek, and HemelWaterTechniek. It serves as a practical example within the Circular Water Expert Group of Water Alliance, which is committed to accelerating the transition to a sustainable and circular water system.
Interested in joining?
Would you like to learn more about this project or connect with the Circular Water Expert Group? Get in touch—let’s move the water transition forward together.
