3M's Permanent Dam Approved for Pollution Control in Zwijndrecht

A permanent dam constructed by chemical company 3M in Zwijndrecht has been approved by the OVAM waste management agency, aiming to prevent contaminated water from entering the Scheldt River through the Palingbeek. The company completed the dam earlier this year, and the approval signifies a plan to maintain its function until 2056. This approval includes the addition of a 1,600-meter wall to the existing structure, intended to enhance its effectiveness in containing pollution.

The dam operates in two stages: contaminated water is pumped to 3M's purification facility (BAWZI) before the first section of the dam. After treatment, the water is released back into the Palingbeek, but in a purified state, behind the second section of the dam. This process ensures that while the water still flows through the Palingbeek, it is no longer a source of pollution for the Scheldt.

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This is a first step, but nothing more.

However, Geert Lenssens, a lawyer for the citizens' group Darkwater 3M, described the approval as merely a "first step." He highlighted concerns for the 90,000 residents living within a 5-kilometer radius of the plant, noting that "not a single piece of land has been remediated to date." The timeline for cleaning up nearby gardens remains unclear, as does the precise plan for remediating agricultural land, which many residents are eagerly awaiting.

Further complicating the situation, a lawsuit against 3M is scheduled to resume in late November. To manage the large number of plaintiffs, residents will be divided into three categories as requested by the justice of the peace. This ongoing legal battle underscores the community's persistent concerns regarding the environmental impact and the pace of remediation efforts.

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90,000 people live within a 5-kilometer radius of the factory, and 100,000 people within 15 kilometers. To this day, not a single piece of land has been remediated.