The greenery on the Žižkov square will water the water seeping into the collector
In winter, a reservoir was installed, from which water can already be drawn. Photo: Facebook Jiří Ptáček
The greenery in the park on Havlíčková náměstí in Prague 3 will be newly watered with water from seeps into the underground so-called collector through which pipelines and other engineering networks run. Two reservoirs were created in the country, into which water is collected and from which it is subsequently pumped for watering. The city company Prague Services (PSAS) will also collect it here for sprinkling the streets. In the future, the toilets in the nearby school, which the town hall wants to repair, could also flush.
As part of the Adaptation Strategy, the capital city of Prague has decided to use seepage water in the area of Havlíčkova náměstí. In cooperation with the third city district, this water will be used not only to irrigate the local park, but also, for example, to flush roads.
In the recent past, all seepage groundwater from the Žižkov collector was pumped into the sewage system, namely from the end pit J1 of the collector under Havlíčkový náměstí. The company Kolektory Praha paid the sewerage for them. The annual amount of discharged water was determined based on the calculation of the surface of the collector and the long-term monitoring of the amount of seepage water at 16,180 cubic meters per year.
“Implementation of this project within the framework of the Adaptation Strategy of the Capital City of Prague, part of this percolating underground water is now provided to the Prague Utility Company for street flushing and companies that take care of the city’s greenery,” said Deputy Mayor Jana Plamínková (STAN).
Based on the chemical analysis of the water, it was proven that the water can be used for the needs of the city. Water from the sump is pumped to the collector, the existing pipeline is extended and fed into the newly placed self-supporting type and accumulation tanks with a volume of 2 x 36 cubic meters, which are located under lawn in the park on Havlíčková náměstí.
Water is pumped from these reservoirs for further use, for example into the tank cars of the Prague Services for flushing and washing roads or for watering greenery not only in the territory of Prague 3. Furthermore, the existing shaft of the park’s irrigation system on Havlíčková náměstí is connected by a pipeline to a separate pump.
The facilities for pouring water into cisterns are located in the lower part on the edge of the sidewalk. It is equipped with modern check-in equipment, which allows you to monitor the use of individual clients. Water used for irrigation or for washing roads will therefore not be discharged into the sewers, but will return to the places of their origin. At the same time, when using water for park irrigation, Prague 3 water will not have to pay.
“Over cubic meters of water were discharged into the sewers here every day. At the same time, in close proximity we have the irrigation system of the park, which in the past took drinking water from the water supply network. The new solution is beneficial for both parties. Water from the collectors is a reliable and constant source even in periods when it doesn’t rain for a whole month,” said the mayor of Prague 3, Jiří Ptáček (TOP 09).
“The entire investment event was financed from the budget of the capital in the amount of 3.2 million crowns without VAT. The biggest problems were with the digging of pits, including excavation for the installation of plastic tanks. Operating costs are minimal. This item is provided by the company Kolektory Praha,” added Plamínková.
The device went into trial operation at the end of June this year and is now approved. Therefore, routine operation is approached. During the winter months, the underground seepage water will be pumped into the sewer again, as before, only measured by a water meter.