Hunsingo Pumping Station

You are at the Hunsingo " pumping station " 

The Hunsingo “ pumping station ” is part of the “ Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp (Zoutkamp hydraulic-engineering works) ” project. Having enough water is very important. There shouldn’t be too much water, because that causes flooding during heavy rainfall. But there also shouldn’t be too little water, because then the soil can dry out and dykes weaken due to the subsidence of peat, for example. Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is working on this issue at the Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp (Zoutkamp hydraulic-engineering works). This work will be completed in June 2026.

Combating Climate Change and subsidence

Renovation is sometimes important—especially when it helps ensure a safer living environment. The study “Droge Voeten (Dry Feet) 2050” examined the impacts of climate change and subsidence . It concluded that the H.D. Louwes pumping station needs to be expanded to mitigate the effects of these changes. Additionally, the regional flood defences near Zoutkamp needed to be reinforced and raised.

Collaboration

In collaboration with the Province of Groningen and the Hogeland council , Noorderzijlvest Water Authority began work in 2023. 

• An important part of this is the construction of a new pumping station ( pumping station ) next to the Hunsingo Lock. The old H.D. Louwes pumping station is therefore no longer needed, so we are tearing it down. This new pumping station ( pumping station ) can discharge more water more quickly than the old one ( pumping station).
• We also restored the Hunsingo Lock and converted it into a “ navigation lock.” Previously, this lock was used solely as a drainage lock to discharge excess water. Now, the lock allows ships to move from the water level of the Zoutkamperril to that of the Hunsingo Canal via the lock chamber.
• Finally, we will construct embankments between the restored Hunsingo Lock and the old H.D. Louwessluis. We will restore the old “ sea dyke ” to its original function as the “ flood defence .” In the past, Zoutkamp was actually located on the Lauwerszee. After the Lauwerszee was closed off in 1969, the “ dyke ” lost its flood-control function, and many activities disappeared from the village. 
• The new " pumping station " offers opportunities for collaboration. It has the potential to give the village of Zoutkamp a boost in the areas of recreation, tourism, and traffic safety.