Bioremediation of CVOC contamination in the subsurface of Utrecht, the Netherlands, and its interaction with Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage to protect drinking water sources

Groundwater contamination by high-density and mobile-chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) can lead to obstruction of all kinds of societal developments, such as the redevelopment of urban contaminated areas. Here, an integrated combination of technologies is presented in which the relatively new sustainable energy technology of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is combined with in situ bioremediation (ISB) into RemediaTES (WKO-plus in Dutch). Laboratory and pilot studies at the municipality of Utrecht, the Netherlands, are combined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed combination of technologies. From the results, it could be derived that a generally applicable area-oriented strategy that focuses on the prevention of CVOC transport to the receptor is most cost-effective in the long term. This combination of technologies, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and in situ bioremediation (ISB), has the potential to become a breakthrough in the redevelopment of contaminated sites and a stimulus in the transition towards sustainable cities.