Save water, reduce CO₂ emissions
Sustainability and vacuum sewer systems
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Introduction
In the Netherlands, we have long taken the availability of clean drinking water for granted. Due to climate change, population growth, and insufficient treatment capacity, that availability is coming under increasing pressure. Water utilities are therefore warning of shortages of clean drinking water. Vacuum sewer systems and vacuum toilets offer a sustainable solution to this challenge. On this page, you can read how vacuum sewer systems, in combination with vacuum toilets, save large amounts of water and contribute to future-proof water use.
Drastically lower drinking water consumption
Vacuum sewer systems require much less water to transport waste than traditional gravity sewer systems. This is because air is the primary means of transport, rather than water.
Vacuum toilets save up to 80% water
A vacuum toilet clearly illustrates this difference. While a traditional toilet uses about six liters of water per flush, a vacuum toilet requires only 1.2 liters. That represents a water savings of 80%. As a result, not only is less drinking water consumed, but less wastewater needs to be treated. On an annual basis, a vacuum toilet can easily save about 8,000 liters of water per person and approximately 17,000 liters per household.
In this example, the vacuum toilet provides the direct water savings, while the vacuum sewer system enables this efficient method of transport. Together, they contribute to more sustainable and future-proof water use.
No leaks or soil contamination thanks to a closed system
A vacuum sewer system is completely closed and operates under negative pressure. If a hole develops in a pipe, no wastewater leaks into the soil or groundwater. This makes vacuum sewer systems ideally suited for ecologically sensitive areas, such as wetlands, nature reserves, islands, and coastal areas. This prevents leaks caused by aging or subsidence, which can occur in traditional gravity sewer systems.
Minimal environmental impact
1. Vacuum sewer systems use much thinner pipes than traditional sewer systems. As a result, pipes can be installed at a shallower depth (approximately 80 to 120 cm) and well drainage is often unnecessary.
2. This makes installation more efficient: less material and excavation are required, construction time is shorter, and CO₂ emissions are lower.
3. The environment is also less disrupted, both above and below ground. This also contributes to more sustainable construction.
Residential environment
Healthcare
Retail
Utility
Long service life and low environmental footprint
A vacuum sewer system uses fewer materials than traditional gravity sewer systems, primarily due to the thinner pipes and the limited amount of equipment. Most of the equipment is located in the vacuum station, and components in the collection chamber and the vacuum station are easy to replace. Thanks to its simple design, limited number of moving parts, and low maintenance requirements, the system has a long service life and a low environmental footprint. Vaculink® also helps detect potential malfunctions early on, preventing unnecessary replacements and reducing the need for raw materials.
Contribution to new sanitation and future regulations
“New sanitation” is a sustainable way to separate wastewater streams, recover raw materials, and generate energy. This involves, among other things, collecting black water (toilet) and gray water (shower, sinks, etc.) separately and treating them locally. Vacuum toilets play an important role in this by significantly reducing drinking water consumption. Vacuum sewer systems and vacuum toilets align well with Dutch and European water conservation goals. A single vacuum toilet can already make a significant contribution toward the goal of reducing drinking water consumption from 125 to 100 liters per person per day by 2035. The Vacuflow® system enables efficient wastewater transport using minimal water, while vacuum toilets limit consumption at the source. In this way, vacuum sewer systems contribute to more sustainable and future-proof construction.
Frequently asked questions about the sustainability of vacuum sewer systems
Vacuum sewerage contributes to a more sustainable infrastructure because it requires less material, excavation, and maintenance than traditional gravity sewer systems. Thinner pipes can be installed at shallow depths, which reduces earthwork and CO₂ emissions. The closed system also prevents leakage into the soil and groundwater, and, thanks to its simple design, has a long service life and requires infrequent replacement.
A closed vacuum sewer system prevents wastewater from leaking into the soil or groundwater. If the system is damaged, the negative pressure draws in air instead of allowing wastewater to flow out. This makes vacuum sewer systems ideal for nature reserves, wetlands, islands, and coastal areas.
Depending on the project specifics, CO₂ savings can reach approximately 40%. This is because vacuum sewer systems require less material and earthwork and can often be installed without the need for wellpoint dewatering. The exact savings depend, among other factors, on soil conditions, the pipeline route, and the installation depth.
Yes, vacuum sewerage is highly suitable for nature reserves and other ecologically sensitive areas. The closed system prevents leakage into the soil and groundwater, while thinner pipes laid at shallower depths result in less earthwork and less disruption to the surrounding environment.
Vacuum sewerage contributes to sustainability goals by conserving water and materials, reducing CO₂ emissions, and minimizing the impact on the environment. When combined with vacuum toilets, it can also save up to 80% of drinking water per flush. The system is therefore well-suited to sustainable and future-proof construction. Vacuum sewer systems align with the principles of new sanitation and support Dutch and European goals for drinking water conservation and sustainable construction. For project developers, the system can also contribute to sustainable building certifications, such as BREEAM and WELL.
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Vacuum sewer systems and vacuum toilets together make a tangible contribution to more sustainable construction, water conservation, and a smaller ecological footprint. Would you like to know which sustainable sanitation solution is best suited for your project? Please contact us.
