Flowserve Pumps Support Europe’s Largest Flood Control System
A mission critical flood control project
The Afsluitdijk flood control system has protected the Netherlands from catastrophic flooding for more than 90 years. The Afsluitdijk causeway dams off the Zuiderzee, a saltwater inlet of the North Sea, and turns it into the Ijsselmeer, a freshwater lake. At 32.187 km (20 miles) long and 91.4 m (300 ft) wide, the causeway is an engineering marvel and a symbol of the country’s constant struggle against flooding from the sea. However, rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions are threatening its ability to endure.
The Netherlands launched a massive renovation project to reinforce the causeway and increase its drain capacity by installing new pumps to discharge excess water from the Ijsselmeer into the Wadden Sea. Once completed, the Afsluitdijk’s new pumping stations became the largest flood control structure in Europe.
Flowserve is committed to helping our customers reach their sustainability goals. Through our ESG priorities and practices, we are committed to protecting the environment through our products and services and limiting the impact of our operations on our climate. Flowserve’s concrete volute pumps (CVPs) play a vital role in the Netherlands’ flood management strategy in the Afsluitdijk’s pumping stations.
Robust and reliable pumps for flood control
Pump reliability is a significant concern, as failures can have far-reaching effects on the environment and the safety of people around the world — which is why reliability is such a critical aspect of Flowserve’s pump and flood control design.
Flowserve’s CVPs offer the Netherlands a reliable, efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution that will protect the country and its citizens for decades to come.
Features like a corrosion-resistant CVP concept and a high-efficiency design make these pumps a strong choice for drainage and flood protection applications. The pumps’ rugged, compact construction virtually eliminates vibration problems, which reduces maintenance labor and costs. In addition, their pullout design simplifies installation and enables them to be installed once the civil work is completed, reducing flood control system costs.
Flowserve’s experience and expertise
Flowserve has a long history of solving massive fluid motion challenges and has installed pumps in large flood management projects around the world. We developed the first CVP in the 1930s and collaborated with the Netherlands on its vast flood management plan, which led to the construction of the original causeway.
We understand the seriousness of flood protection. Whether it’s the daily security of a major city or the ongoing reclamation of a nation’s lowland, Flowserve's equipment and application expertise can tackle the biggest flood control projects.
Making the world a better, safer place through the use of our products and solutions is something Flowserve will always strive for.
Pumps for Flood Control and Drainage Applications
With more than 100 years of experience in flood control management, including numerous applications in the Netherlands, Flowserve is considered the most recognized supplier for flood protection pump systems.
To illustrate how Flowserve has continued to focus on innovation, one of our key values, we recently participated in a short film highlighting the importance of the CVPs in controlling flooding in the Netherlands.
As part of an online film series “Beneath the Surface,” presented by the International Water Association and produced for Flowserve by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, this short film showcases Flowserve’s ongoing support of the Netherlands’ Afsluitdijk, the largest flood control project in Europe.
This video looks at how Flowserve has provided and maintained pumps for the project to prevent flooding in the Netherlands and continues to support the effort through innovation.
To view other stories featured, visit: “Beneath the Surface”
Environmentally friendly requirements
Flowserve’s CVPs and in particular these CVPS/F not only meet the Afsluitdijk’s performance needs, but they also meet its environmental requirements. These pumps are among Flowserve’s most environmentally conscious pumps.
CVPs combine Flowserve’s most efficient hydraulics and pumping capabilities with a fish-safe hydraulic design, making them nondestructive and safe for aquatic life.
Innovating while continuing to meet environmental requirements to protect the ecosystems are critical to the future of the water industry.
A strategy driven by purpose
As part of our Diversification, Decarbonization and Digitization strategy, Flowserve has continued to make inroads into technological advancements with water.
We are diversifying our operations and entering new markets to create more balanced portfolio while we continue to support our customers. Flowserve is also focused on protecting the environment through decarbonization efforts and meeting environmental requirements in our innovations to limit ecological impact. Finally, we are utilizing digitization tools to improve our operations and optimize our customers’ experience. Through these efforts, Flowserve is helping our customers make the world a better place.
With flood control, failure is not an option. Countless lives and livelihoods depend on it. Flowserve equipment and application expertise puts you in control.
Learn More
Flowserve has developed and tested patented fish- and eel-safe pump designs to maximize pass and survival rates, while maintaining the optimum pump performance and efficiencies.
Learn MoreLet’s discuss your needs
Contact Us