Biotechnical innovation in the use of rainwater in Zvolen City

Project facts

Project promoter:
City of Zvolen
Project Number:
SK02-0001
Target groups
Students,
Civil servants/Public administration staff
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€1,188,235
Final project cost:
€1,089,529
From EEA Grants:
€ 787,185
The project is carried out in:
Banskobystrický kraj

Description

Climate change can cause increased temperatures in cities due to heat island effect, and dry conditions increase the concentration of dust in the air causing health problems for inhabitants. The objective of the project is to improve the environment in the city and to present various climate change adaptation measures by improving the retention and use of rain water. The project is expected to present and demonstrate innovative adaptation measures, give guidance for their implementation and present best practices for rain water management in the city. This includes increased number of planted trees, rain gardens and reservoirs, green roofs and fountains. Through the project, young people in schools will have the opportunity to learn about retention and use of rain water from school roofs and campus areas. Project partners involved in the implementation of the project are the Blue Alternative Foundation, the Technical University in Zvolen and the Project Team AS from Norway.

Summary of project results

The global climate change results also in unstable weather on local level in Zvolen and Pliešovce Valleys. Dry periods alternate with torrential rains periods that quickly fill up the local streams and subsequently a local overspill and pouring onto the surrounding fields occur. Zvolen city centre is extremely overheated. This project is an opportunity to show the citizens and visitors and the studying youth in Zvolen how to harvest and use rainwater for practical purposes and that we can even save or reduce the costs when compared to the use of drinking water. Main outputs/activities are: - 32 rain gardens at the premises of the city of Zvolen and TU Zvolen, - 24 bio-retention reservoirs including underground reservoir for greenery irrigation (2 pcs at Municipal Office, 12 pcs at kindergartens and elementary schools, 14 pcs at Technical University), - 3 bio-climate open reservoirs (1 pcs in locality of Hrabiny, 1 pcs in locality of Technical University and 1 pcs in locality of Student Home Bariny), - 1 water wall at the Bariny dormitory pavement, - 1 rainwater using fountain with solar pump - TU hall, - 8 weirs in gullies at the premises of the city of Zvolen in the locality of Suchá kôrka and Zlatý potok as transverse objects from wooden round billets and stone masonry, - 1 green extensive roof with the total area 1,000 m2 at the roof of the Bus station with total area 4,000 m2 and a connection to the rainwater reservoirs with pumps placed at the premises of TU Zvolen, - 5 infiltration underground reservoirs (ecodrain) at the premises of TU Zvolen, - 610 tree planting on lawns, bio-corridors and wetlands restoration at the premises of the city of Zvolen and TU Zvolen. Main outcomes of the project were. - The strategy document was elaborated and implemented – the Adaptation Strategy of the Adaptation to Climate changes in the city of Zvolen (using rainwater harvesting). - The measures for adaptation to climate change were implemented.

Summary of bilateral results

Project Team AS was the Norwegian partner in the project. Company activity - thermal insulation of roofs, waterproofing of building structures and montage of industrial constructions. Mr. Ivan Neuročný, CEAO, was informed about the project realisation and participated on the conferences conccerning the project. The partner provided the promoter with valuable expert advice and hints for the realisation of project provisions.