Pumping stations along the Nete in Duffel get colorful fish and bird paintings

Pumping stations along the Nete River in Duffel are receiving a vibrant makeover, adorned with colorful depictions of fish and birds that inhabit the local waters. The project, commissioned by the province of Antwerp and executed by Antwerp artist SMOK, aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of these functional structures.

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We want to draw more attention to water quality and the operation of these stations. The pumping stations are located in areas frequented by many walkers and cyclists. By having them painted, we transform a gray, anonymous box into an eye-catcher.

"We want to draw more attention to water quality and the operation of these stations," stated Jan De Haes, the provincial deputy for Water Policy. "The pumping stations are located in areas frequented by many walkers and cyclists. By having them painted, we transform a gray, anonymous box into an eye-catcher," he explained. Each artwork carries its own specific meaning.

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The kingfisher is a true fish-eater and therefore strongly tied to water. If we see a kingfisher near the watercourse, it is a sign that there are many fish.

One of the painted species is the kingfisher, a bird strongly tied to water and a sign of abundant fish populations. Another is the bleak, a fish that had disappeared from local rivers for years but is now reappearing in the Scheldt thanks to improved water quality. "With some good hope, we will soon see it back in the Nete as well," De Haes added.

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The bleak is a fish that disappeared from our rivers for years, but thanks to better water quality, it is reappearing in the Scheldt. The fish lives in the sea, but with some good hope, we will soon see it back in the Nete.

The province of Antwerp is investing approximately 20,000 euros in these artistic embellishments. Similar painting projects are planned for pumping stations in Ravels, Berlaar, Lier, and Schelle, extending the initiative to beautify and inform the public about water management across the region. The pumping stations play a crucial role in preventing water-related flooding by pumping excess water from streams and low-lying areas into the river when natural drainage is insufficient.

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The pumping stations are indispensable for protection against water nuisance. When large rivers like the Nete have a high water level due to prolonged rainfall, for example, they cannot drain the runoff water. This can cause water nuisance upstream.