Storm Water Management: Is It Still a Need or Already a Must?

Session 1A
11:10 AM

Piotr Falkowski
Wavin Metalplast – Buk, Poland

For many years storm water was treated by municipalities and communities as minor
problem. Therefore if a decision maker should decide where to invest , what to build first
than drinking water supply or foul-water discharge system was a top priority. No negative
impact of storm-water to human beings was announced. It was just storm water managed
by local natural environment in a better or worst way. However some areas has been
flooded periodically in spring and autumn time year by year.

In the 1970’s the problem with quality of water in natural water courses has
arised in Western European countries where France, Germany and UK among them. The
problem was caused by industrial and domestic sewage discharged directly or via limited
treatment plants to natural water courses. This drove to the situation where natural water
course was just a sewer line. Just “5 minutes to midnight” some actions were taken to
support the natural environment and protect against destructive human influence.
In that time storm water was incorporated with general idea of water management as
one of most important element linked directly with natural water cycle.
Now-a-days in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries the storm water
management and natural water cycle is of great importance. Mostly of increasing volume
of storm water due to high urbanization process as well as quality of storm water
(environment protection).

There are many solutions for water management available on the market where natural
and hi-tech ones are among them. What is possible? What is available? Which ones are
the best? How to make the right decision?

Piotr Falkowski Project Director (Storm Water Management)
Wavin Metalplast – Buk Ltd
Poland
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