LIFE GreenLED demonstration site for safe rainwater reuse officially inaugurated in Alphen aan den Rijn
Residents gathered at the inauguration of the Aarplein water buffer, LIFE GreenLED demonstration site in Alphen aan den Rijn, 27 May, 2026.
From European innovation project to a healthier and greener city centre
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands – 27 May 2026
On 27 May 2026, the Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn officially inaugurated the Aarplein water buffer, one of the flagship demonstration sites of the LIFE GreenLED project. The inauguration formed part of the public launch of the Gezond Stadshart (Healthy City Centre) programme, a long-term vision aimed at creating the healthiest and greenest city centre in the Groene Hart region by 2035.
The event brought together municipal representatives, project partners and local stakeholders to celebrate both the transformation of the city centre and a key milestone for LIFE GreenLED. What began as a European innovation project in 2023 has now become an operational climate adaptation solution, marking the transition from technical development to real urban application.
Former Alderman for Sustainability Gert van den Ham at the official unveiling of the triumphal arch in Alphen aan den Rijn, 27 May 2026.
🌎 Why this matters
European cities are increasingly affected by droughts, urban heat stress, extreme rainfall events and growing pressure on drinking water resources. LIFE GreenLED addresses these challenges by turning excess rainwater into a valuable local resource and demonstrating how high-quality rainwater can be safely reused for close-contact urban applications, reducing reliance on drinking water while supporting healthier and greener urban environments.
💡 How the system works
At the LIFE GreenLED demonstration site in Alphen aan den Rijn, FieldFactors' BlueBloqs technology captures, treats, and stores the rainwater, while Apria Systems' UV-C LED technology provides the final disinfection step before reuse. Water quality and system performance are continuously monitored by Delft University of Technology to support system optimisation and long-term evaluation.
A circular water management solution in 5 steps.
Performers at the inauguration of the Aarplein water buffer, LIFE GreenLED demonstration site, Alphen aan den Rijn, 27 May 2026.
During heavy rainfall, an underground buffer tank beneath the car park captures and retains approximately 600 m³ of stormwater, reducing peak loads on the sewer system and mitigating local flood risk. The captured water is then treated and infiltrated into the underlying aquifer for long-term seasonal storage, where it can be recovered during dry periods to irrigate urban greenery such as trees, planting areas, green roofs and public green spaces.
This integrated approach helps reduce reliance on drinking water supplies while contributing to a greener, cooler and more climate-resilient city centre. It also improves biodiversity and enhances the overall liveability and quality of public space.
The system is embedded within the broader redevelopment of the Lage Zijde district and directly supports the ambitions of the Gezond Stadshart programme, where health, sustainability and climate adaptation are fully integrated into urban design.
A distinctive feature of the site is the integration of the water infrastructure into a public artwork inspired by the Roman history of Alphen aan den Rijn. The newly unveiled triumphal arch makes the underlying climate adaptation system visible and tangible for citizens, transforming technical infrastructure into part of the city’s identity.
Representatives of the LIFE GreenLED consortium and the Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, 27 May 2026. Photo: David van der Drift
🤝 A collaborative European approach
Beyond Alphen aan den Rijn, LIFE GreenLED is also being implemented in Madrid, Spain, allowing the project consortium to compare system performance across different climates, urban conditions and water management contexts. Through joint monitoring, research and knowledge exchange, the partners are generating practical evidence to support the wider adoption of safe rainwater reuse solutions across Europe.
✨ Looking ahead
With the Alphen aan den Rijn demonstration site now operational, the project enters its monitoring and knowledge-sharing phase. The consortium will continue evaluating system performance, water quality and environmental impacts while sharing lessons learned with municipalities, water authorities and urban planners across Europe.
🤝 Meet the GreenLED team
LIFE GreenLED is a European demonstration project focused on the safe reuse of high-quality rainwater for close-contact urban applications. Through demonstration sites in the Netherlands and Spain, the project combines innovative treatment technologies, scientific validation and urban planning to support climate adaptation and sustainable water management.
The LIFE GreenLED project is powered by six key partners across Spain and the Netherlands:
Spain
Junta de Compensación Desarrollo del Este Los Ahijones – Urban development agency
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid – Research institution
APRIA Systems – Technology provider
Netherlands
City of Alphen aan den Rijn – Municipality
Delft University of Technology – Research institution
Field Factors B.V. – Technology provider
Together, we’re making water sustainability a reality!
🔍 Learn more
Visit the project website: www.lifegreenled.eu
Read more about the demonstration sites in Alphen aan den Rijn and Madrid: https://www.fieldfactors.com/news-archive/greenled-update-18-months
Follow LIFE GreenLED on LinkedIn for project updates and results: https://nl.linkedin.com/showcase/life-greenled/
Note to editors:
For more information contact Thomas Biffin, Project Coordinator of GreenLED
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LIFE GreenLED (LIFE22-CCA-NL-101114560) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
