Congress Agenda

EU environmental legislation makes risk assessment mandatory. The new Wastewater Directive imposes the need for risk assessment in the context of rainwater and wastewater pollution and its impact on human health and the environment. It is therefore necessary to debate the details of the analyses for both rainwater and urban wastewater management.

Climate change is also inevitably knocking on the door of single-family homes. Watering backyard lawns and flowerbeds due to the increasingly prolonged high temperatures can start to become costly. It is also not the best solution to ‘waste’ treated water for consumption. So, let's build rainwater tanks - let's reuse rainwater - let's keep the water where it fell. And here comes the first fundamental question - is it worth it?

The reconstruction of Krupnicza Street in Kraków, completed in May last year, is an example of innovative green retention solutions that could become a model for other urban projects. The historic street gained a new face thanks to the planting of 39 trees (bird cherry and black alder), the introduction of thousands of shrubs and perennials, and the installation of rainwater tanks. The project includes rain gardens, which not only slow down the run-off of water, but also retain it, reducing the load on the city's sewer system. The woonerf concept, with traffic calmed and shared space for pedestrians and cars, combined with green infrastructure, helped to create a welcoming urban space. The redevelopment also included the installation of urban furniture, car parks and information boards highlighting the historical significance of the street.

Another example of green retention in the completed investments of the Urban Greenery Management Board in Krakow is the Wisława Szymborska Park, opened last year. The park, located in a 19th-century development at the back of the former Francis Joseph barracks, combines historical values with modern solutions of green and blue infrastructure. The park is an oasis of relaxation and contemplation, designed as a sequence of interpenetrating garden interiors, with a unique selection of plants and space tailored to the needs of different social groups. The park includes a retention area for water collected from the roof of the Provincial Library next door, and a system of reservoirs with residing water treated by a hydrophytic treatment plant, which is also one of the park's attractions.

The well-known ‘Gardens of the Cracovians’ project, implemented by the Board of Urban Greenery, aims to create small, friendly green spaces in urban areas. In Krakow, 44 such spaces with a total area of about 12 ha have been realised in recent years. Like the Krakow Gardens project, the plan for creating green retention is to implement numerous small-scale solutions throughout the city, thus achieving economies of scale and significantly improving rainwater management. At the same time, we are looking at the potential for larger projects in which green retention will become the primary rainwater harvesting system, especially during heavy rainfall. This comprehensive approach will allow us to apply for infrastructure funding from European Union programmes such as the Fenix programme, thus supporting the development of green and blue infrastructure in Krakow. The update of the Directions for the Development and Management of Green Areas in Krakow for 2019-2030 includes the mapping of retention potential and the setting of water retention tasks.

Green retention in Krakow, through innovative projects such as those at Krupnicza Street and Szymborska Park, not only improves the quality of life for residents, but also responds to the challenges of climate change. Through a sustainable approach that integrates green infrastructure into the urban landscape, Krakow is becoming an example of modern urban water management.

‘Disposing’ of rainwater during heavy rainfall, without having to put it into the sewer system, is a key issue when we talk about adapting cities to climate change. The second issue is its use during dry periods. Through the use of technical solutions such as blue-green retention roofs or systems that facilitate the growth of tree roots under sealed, traffic-laden pavements, we gain the ability to maintain an adequate level of rainwater balance in a closed loop, as well as supporting greenery, which has a significant impact on people's health and quality of life.

The challenge of the 21st century is rainwater management. Sudden downpours can lead to localised flooding. Especially in the city, where most of the pavement is sealed and does not allow rainwater to seep naturally into the ground. After months of work, Poznan residents and tourists can walk on the renewed pavement. It is worth paying attention to the installations invisible to the eyes, i.e. those that have been placed under the surface of the pavement. In the course of the paper, it will be possible to find out, among other things, what design challenges the HAURATON team faced in relation to rainwater management and how they were dealt with.

The last few years have seen an unprecedented number of extreme floods and disasters of dam structures, including large dams, around the world, including in Europe. This is an issue that is directly linked to climate change and the ageing of numerous hydraulic structures in each country that has them. In this context, ensuring that damming structures are in an adequate state of safety and maintenance is a major organisational and financial challenge even in highly developed countries. This difficult problem also affects Poland. The lecture will present the latest data on the condition of damming structures (dams, dykes, canal embankments) in Poland and compare it with data from around the world. Associated risks and challenges will be discussed, including risks of non-functionality of entire systems and groups of facilities in Poland. Methods implemented worldwide to minimise risks and optimise maintenance costs of damming structures will be shown.

The issue under discussion concerns the hydrological and hydraulic consequences associated with the transformation of the hydrographic network in areas undergoing urbanisation. Changes to the river system in selected cities over the last few centuries were analysed.

RZGW in Krakow carries out a number of investment and maintenance tasks, as well as projects aimed at improving the environment. In all our activities, we strive to adhere to the highest environmental standards. Our investments are carried out under naturalistic supervision. Constant monitoring of the construction process prevents possible damage to the environment. We obtain all environmental approvals well in advance. In carrying out our tasks, we collaborate with various communities, including the environmental community. The cooperation is based on the exchange of experience, co-creation of projects, substantive support. Good examples of such cooperation are the investments already made in the Malinówka dry reservoir or the modernisation of the flood embankments in Krakow. More joint projects lie ahead, such as the renaturalisation of the Dłubnia River or the flood protection of the Prądnik catchment area.

Mobile pumps are a key tool in flood relief operations, enabling flooded areas to be drained quickly and efficiently. Thanks to their mobility, they can be quickly transported to areas most at risk of flooding. Tractor shaft-driven solutions - mobile tractor pumps - are able to reach even hard-to-reach areas. The high capacity of these pumps allows large volumes of water to be pumped in a short time, which is extremely important in emergency situations. They can be used in both agricultural and urban areas, adding to their versatility. They are relatively simple to operate, allowing them to be deployed quickly even by less experienced staff. They work reliably for long periods of time, which is crucial during prolonged rescue operations. Thanks to their efficiency and ease of use, mobile tractor pumps are indispensable in emergency management. They are the foundation of effective flood control measures, minimising damage and protecting property and human life.