Hölscher and Sustainability
Responsibility for water, people, and the environment: As experts in groundwater management, we handle the vital resource of water with care. For us, sustainability means integrating ecological, economic, and social aspects into every project.
Our clear goal: Water neutrality by 2030.
Our clear goal: Water neutrality by 2030
Pragmatic and forward-looking
Sustainability is a fundamental part of our strategy and corporate identity. As a family-owned company, we make decisions pragmatically and with foresight. As groundwater management specialists, we take responsibility for treating water as a vital resource with care. We are united by our long-term goal: Water neutrality by 2030. This means returning as much water to the natural cycle as we extract for our construction projects.
Our understanding of sustainability
Water neutrality:
Our contribution to a balanced water cycle
At Hölscher, water neutrality is comparable to the principle of climate neutrality. The goal is to create a balance by ensuring that we do not extract more water than we return. As one of the leading companies in groundwater management, we frequently need to extract large quantities of water from the earth. Our aim is to reinject this water back into the aquifer after it has been purified and treated, maintaining the integrity of the water cycle. By 2030, we aim to ensure that all our locations – and the company as a whole – achieve water balance on an annual basis.
Our actions:
How we achieve water neutrality
Measuring and monitoring water use:
The first step is accurately measuring the amount of water we extract and reinfiltrate during construction projects. We already measure a significant portion and continue to enhance our data collection systems.
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Optimising re-infiltration technologies:
We employ advanced technologies to reintroduce purified water into the aquifer, ensuring it reaches the correct geological layers.
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Project-based water balancing:
In water-scarce regions, we offset our water use by implementing additional infiltration measures in other areas. This creates balance across regions and supports agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Sustainable Innovations:
Technologies for an eco-friendly future
As the European market leader in groundwater management, we focus on technological innovations that minimise both water consumption and the environmental impact of our projects. A prime example is our patented hw-dsi® process for gentle reinfiltration. This and other innovative systems allow us to work resource-efficiently while partnering with our clients to actively pursue water neutrality.
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Weir systems:
We continuously develop weir systems that retain large amounts of water for agricultural and ecological purposes, helping raise groundwater levels during dry periods. These technologies are crucial for achieving water neutrality and provide solutions for water-intensive industries and agriculture.
Our responsibility:
Sustainability at the core of our values
As a family-owned business, we think in terms of generations. This long-term perspective is reflected in our sustainability approach, which goes beyond environmental protection. For us, sustainability also means taking social responsibility and creating long-term opportunities for our employees, clients, and partners. Our water neutrality strategy is part of this commitment – to the environment and to future generations.
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Meaningful work: Our sustainability efforts strengthen relationships with clients and partners while offering profound value to our employees. Young talent, in particular, seeks meaningful work, and our water neutrality goals provide a unique opportunity to contribute to a better future.
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Big and small efforts: Water neutrality is our ultimate goal, but we are also committed to small-scale sustainable actions. Most of our branches and sites are equipped with large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage. We have switched to 100% renewable energy and are progressively integrating electric and hybrid vehicles into our fleet while researching hybrid drilling technologies.
Creating a hydraulic barrier with
hw-dsi® re-infiltration
Constructing physical barriers to interrupt groundwater flow is often costly. By utilising the hw-dsi® infiltration process, we offer a cost-effective alternative by establishing a hydraulic barrier between groundwater lowering areas and contamination zones.
AERFIT
Adaption Extreme Rainfall
Sealed surfaces in urban areas frequently prevent sustainable rainwater management. With AERFIT, rainwater from rooftops is directed straight to the aquifer using jet suction infiltration wells (hw-dsi®).
Water neutrality in numbers
Why water neutrality is crucial for the future
As access to water becomes increasingly limited and the effects of climate change intensify, we must take responsibility. Hölscher Wasserbau is committed to becoming a pioneer in water neutrality by developing solutions that protect the environment and ensure the long-term success of our clients’ projects. By offering sustainable solutions for the construction industry, we actively contribute to the water transition – working toward a better and water-neutral future.
