situation problem
The soil was unable to retain water, resulting in no vegetation growing on the land, which led to an increased risk of flooding. Rainwater ran off without benefit and damaged the ecosystem through intensive erosion.
In February 2005, the Košice Parliament approved a strategic document for water protection in the Košice conurbation as a prevention against floods, drought and climate change. The aim of the protocol was to strengthen the retention of rainwater in the urban landscape.
Solution
The main idea of the project was to retain rainwater and thus create suitable moisture conditions for optimal growth of new vegetation. This species diversity will later take over the function of retaining rainwater, which would otherwise run off without benefit and the ecosystem would remain damaged. The aim of the innovative solution was to gradually restore the vegetation and its species diversity in the area.
Implementation
In November 2005, the project was put into practice. The so-called contour strips were implemented on a 3ha site. These strips can retain rainwater at one time, approximately 300,000 litres of water. In the first years of the project, the strips were regularly filled with rainwater. The water was subsequently absorbed and later evaporated.
Results
Restoration of dried soil
Meadow vegetation improvement
Restoration of erosion-damaged ecosystems
Diversity and variety
Protected tennis complex from annual heating
13
Years
60k m3
Retained rainwater
200k m3
Evaporated water during a summer day
The idea of stormwater retention at the site has reached its full potential.
Other Implementations
Tichý Potok
At the beginning of the 1990s, it was planned to build a dam above the Rusyn municipality of Tichý Potok in the basin of the Torysa River. The dam was intended to supply the population of Košice and...
Rainwater Harvesting in the Village of Torysa
In the past, the agricultural landscape in Slovakia was fragmented and diversified. Changes caused by collectivisation and the removal of traditional features such as borders and copses have led to...
Rain Gardens
With the addition of roofed, asphalted and concreted ground surfaces, stormwater runoff to streams is increasing. This not only contributes to increasing flood risks, but also to drying of the land...
Hričov Waterway
The municipality of Dolný Hričov is intertwined with many legends and rich history, thanks to which it has potential for local tourism. However, the forest ecosystem has been severely neglected,...
Blue School
In primary and secondary schools, topics such as climate change, water and health protection and environmental safety are highly discussed. However, children do not have the space to apply their...
The Water Forest
In November 2004, a wind storm swept through the Tatra National Park. It not only left significant material damage, but also uprooted several hectares of forest. The ecosystem was significantly...
Contact us
Send us a message and we will get back to you
