The ground beneath our feet is valuable in many different ways. It contains commodities like sand, gravel and clay and strategic groundwater reserves. It serves as a firm foundation for infrastructure and provides extra space for additional functions. And it contains groundwater, which interacts with the surface water in lakes, rivers, ditches and streams.

Deltares brings together expertise in all these areas to arrive at innovative solutions. For example, we apply our knowledge of geological structures to expertise in dredging and sand production, or we apply our understanding of urban groundwater on the one hand and of soil on the other to the creation of infrastructure. After all, an expert knowledge of geotechnology and foundations is essential to reduce the risks inherent in construction on and in soft subsurfaces (like those in The Netherlands).

Furthermore, we also map soil quality risks and advise on soil and groundwater remediation in many places around the world where past industrial activity has resulted in pollution of the subsurface.