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The paper focuses on the possibilities of rainwater flow control in an innovative rainwater system which is equipped with a retention canals system. Sewage retention canal is a modern solution that provides effective retention of excess rainwater by using a capacity of sewer pipes and manholes. The retention is possible by using special damming partitions which have flow openings. The hydraulic working of the traditional rainwater system and the innovative rainwater system were compared with each other. The analysis was based on the results obtained from simulations using hydrodynamic modeling. Maximum possible values of rainwater outflow intensity from outlet nodes for the traditional rainwater system and the innovative rainwater system were discussed. On the basis of the analysis it was shown that the innovative rainwater system outweighs the classic rainwater one. It discharges two functions: transports and simultaneously retains excess rainwater in canals.

Recovery of waste heat from gray water can be an interesting alternative to other energy saving systems in a building, including alternative energy sources. Mainly, due to a number of advantages including independence from weather conditions, small investment outlay, lack of user support, or a slight interference with the installation system. The purpose of this article is to present the financial effectiveness of installations which provide hot, usable water to a detached house, using a Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) system depending on the number of system users and the various combinations of bathing time in the shower, which has an influence on the daily warm water demand in each of the considered options. The economic analysis of the adopted installation variants is based on the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) method, which is characterized by the fact that it also includes the operating costs in addition to the capital expenditure during the entire analysis period. For each case, the necessary devices were selected and the cost of their installation was estimated.

In recent years, as a result of intensive urbanisation, a significant increase in the surface of impermeable areas has been observed, which results in changes in the hydrological cycle of catchments. In order to counteract these changes, low-impact development (LID) solutions are increasingly being implemented in urban catchments, including bioretention systems. Taking this into account, a new bioretention drainage channel (BRC) was designed, whose main task is retention, infiltration, and pre-treatment of rainwater. The pilot laboratory tests carried out on two BRC prototypes (K1 and K2) showed that the average rate of reduction of mineral-suspended solids from rainwater was 69% and 57%, respectively, for K1 and K2. Analysing the results of the research, it was found that the bioretention drainage channel is characterised by very high efficiency in removing petroleum hydrocarbons from rainwater, and the reduction rate of these pollutants for both the K1 and K2 channels was close to 100%. In turn, hydrodynamic studies carried out on the model of the urban catchment showed that the implementation of BRCs will reduce the peak runoff by more than 82%, and the maximum flow in the sewage network by 83%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a methodological approach to flood direct tangible damage - damage to assets and direct intangible damage - environmental damage and loss of life assessment. The assessment of flood risk is an essential part of the risk management approach, which is the conceptual basis for the EU directive 2007/60/ES on the assessment and management of flood risk. The purpose of this directive is to establish a framework for the assessment and management of flood risk, aiming at the reduction of the adverse consequences for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity associated with flood in the community. Overall, an accurate estimation of negative effects on assets, environment and people is important in order to be able to determine the economy, environmental and social flood risk level in a system and the effects of risk mitigation measures.

The publication presents the solution of an innovative retention canal, which is used as a part of the drainage network and constitutes an alternative to traditional retention reservoirs. A selected case study was described where various variants of the drainage system were analyzed. This example shows the main advantages of a retention canal solution.

The use of energy from waste can be a key means of reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and thus reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Waste energy can be a worthy alternative to conventional energy sources in construction. This paper presents data on energy consumption for the preparation of domestic hot water in residential buildings. A review of the literature sources and inventions in the area of waste energy recovery from grey water was carried out. It also presents the results of research on prototypes of devices used to receive energy deposited in wastewater, published in recent years. The benefits of using drain water heat recovery systems for preheating utility water in residential buildings are presented. An analysis of technical solutions for grey water energy collection units was made, revealing their advantages and disadvantages. Great importance was attached to the review of patent sources as well as devices available on the market. According to the authors, the results of the technical review may be useful for contractors and designers of heat recovery equipment and installations, researchers and potential users of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of energy consumption and the cost of its production by the systems of supply of hot water depending on the applied heat sources and destination of a building. The calculations have taken into account the efficiency of the adopted installation solutions that have a direct impact on energy consumption. The following parameters have been determined: the size of the seasonal demand for hot water, an annual amount of fuel needed to its production and annual operating costs. The calculations have been performed for residential buildings and public buildings, whilst maintaining the same usable space. The aim of the article is to determine the rate of the amount of fuel, needed to heat to the desired temperature, a unit volume of water depending on the type of heat source and destination of a premises. For the adopted variants of installation, the ratio of production costs of unit volume of hot water has been also determined. The indicators of the fuel amount and the cost of hot water pointed out in the article may be one of the criteria for selection of an effective system for the preparation of hot water.

The article contains the outcomes of the Life Cycle Cost analysis for alternative energy and water sources utilized in passive buildings. The solutions taken into account included: heat pumps, solar collectors, photovoltaic panels, Drain Water Heat Recovery units, Rain Water Harvesting Systems and Greywater Recycling Systems. In addition, air pollution emission reduction was also calculated for all the installation variants analyzed. The analysis have shown that the systems under consideration could serve as alternatives for traditional installations. Their use has resulted in reductions in the consumption of fossil fuels and natural water resources, thus contributing to environmental improvements.

The large variability in rainwater quality both in time and location as well as the relatively small number of tests make the preliminary assessment of economic exploitation of these waters difficult. Determining the relation between the conditions and location of rainwater collection and rainwater quality would help to indicate the range of options for rainwater use as well as parameters that require improvement. The aim of the presented article is to establish chosen physical, chemical and microbiological parameters of rainwater and, based on the results obtained, to determine the possibilities for a safe use of these waters in households. The research had been carried out for two years. Samples of chosen rainfalls were collected from spring to autumn from the following roofing materials: concrete roof tiles, ceramic roof tiles, zinc coated metal sheets and epoxy coated. The physical, chemical and microbiological quality assessment has been conducted basing on the following parameters: reaction, turbidity, electrical conductivity, concentration of biogenic compounds, concentration of chosen elements, number of Escherichia coli as well as number faecal streptococci. A significant bacterial contamination, a decreased pH and an increased turbidity of rainwaters were identified, depending on the parameters of the roofing washed by rainfalls and the intensity and frequency of precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]