Clean soil to be transported 100 km across Jutland to protect potential drinking water

Plans to transport clean soil from construction projects in southwestern Jutland to Hedensted—nearly 100 km away—have drawn criticism from local officials and experts, despite the soil testing free of harmful chemicals.

The soil, deemed non-contaminated after testing, can no longer be stored locally in Esbjerg due to stricter regional rules aimed at protecting groundwater, DR reports. Instead, it must be transported to Hedensted, the nearest approved site, bypassing closer gravel pits with available capacity.

Esbjerg Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen (Venstre) called the decision unnecessary, citing increased CO₂ emissions, higher costs, and delays in infrastructure projects like sewer separation. “We’re emitting unnecessary CO₂, getting less value for money, and projects will take longer because of the added transport costs—all while we have local space for the soil,” he said.

The municipality argues that nearby gravel pits, such as one in Oksbøl, could safely store the soil without risking groundwater used for drinking. Local water utility reports and external experts confirm the pits sit above non-potable water, yet regional authorities have denied renewed permits.

Jørgen E. Olesen, a professor of agroecology at Aarhus University, called the transport plan “nonsensical,” emphasizing the minimal risk of contamination from clean soil. “The risk of serious pollution here is relatively small,” he said, while noting the policy would increase CO₂ emissions, road strain, and other negative effects.

Esbjerg Municipality estimates that storing soil locally over a decade could save 2 million liters of diesel and avoid 7,292 tons of CO₂—equivalent to taking roughly 3,000 cars off the road for a year. The calculation assumes transporting 2 million tons of soil to Hedensted instead of a nearby gravel pit.

Bo Libergren, Venstre’s regional chair in Southern Denmark, has called for political intervention, arguing the policy threatens construction projects with added costs and unnecessary emissions.