Water Forum, by LOLA Landscape Architects, 2001, 51N4E, Silvia Venditti (Pays-Bas, Luxembourg, Belgique, Italie), is an urban garden with the mission to revitalize the Alzette Valley. This unique project serves both as an experimental water purification garden and as a citizen forum designed to inspire dialogue and action.
In close collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, the first water quality study data – collected by Silvia Venditti – has just been released:
Natural treatment with plants provides water of very high microbiological quality (almost meeting bathing water standards).
Nature-based solutions (NBS) reduce the load by more than half, while UV disinfection ensures a final polishing step.
Total nitrogen, nitrates, and phosphorus are significantly removed, preventing eutrophication.
The organic load is generally low.
Conductivity does not increase, a promising sign of no leaching.
Very satisfactory results and an installation that is transforming the urban landscape positively – bringing hope… and maybe a first step towards swimming in the Alzette one day!
A project supported by ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, Lorang | Luxport, l’Université du Luxembourg, Megalift and Contern.