From a hydraulic assessment to strategic retention investments – the combined sewer system in Kraków

The speaker will present the principles behind a comprehensive programme of measures for Kraków’s combined sewer system, aimed at increasing the system’s resilience to heavy rainfall, limiting hydraulic overloads, and reducing the frequency and volume of discharges via storm overflows. These measures set out the direction for the development of retention infrastructure, combining modernisation, the construction of new facilities and better utilisation of the existing capacity of the sewerage system.

The presentation will discuss the methodology for identifying problem areas, prioritising tasks and selecting technical solutions based on hydraulic analyses, spatial constraints and operational requirements. Particular attention will be paid to projects currently in the planning or implementation stages.

The first key project is the construction of an underground retention tank beneath Napoleon’s Great Army Square, which will be designed to temporarily store excess wastewater during heavy rainfall and relieve pressure on the sewerage system in the very centre of Kraków.

The second – the modernisation of ten storm water overflow chambers, continuing the work previously carried out to improve outflow regulation, enhance control over the operation of the overflows and make use of channel retention.

The third project is a proposal to build a retention reservoir near Błonie, which is being considered as a strategic solution for the northern and western parts of the city, requiring a balance to be struck between its technical function and the protection of the area’s landscape, recreational and spatial qualities.

The presentation will demonstrate that effective retention management in combined sewer systems requires a systematic approach, phased investment and close integration of hydraulic modelling, spatial planning, automation and infrastructure operation.

A graduate of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at the Kraków University of Technology, specializing in Municipal Engineering. Since 2010, he has been working at the Sewer Network Department of MPWiK S.A. in Kraków. He specializes in trenchless sewer network rehabilitation. He currently serves as director of network infrastructure.