Building for Tomorrow: Pipelife's Smart Stormwater Management Solution Ensures Increased Safety on Kindergarten Grounds

As rain events are becoming more unpredictable, investing in climate adaptation measures has become a priority for municipalities across Europe. In a pivotal initiative, Pipelife Czechia recently developed and supplied a turnkey stormwater management system, coupled with smart monitoring technology, for a new kindergarten project in Hostivice.

_{Developing Future Infrastructure Today}

The scenic town of Hostivice, situated just a half-hour away from Prague, has seen a steady increase in its population over the last decades. Last year, Hostivice municipality made a decision to construct a new kindergarten in response to the growing community's needs. The complex project also envisioned the reconstruction of a 400-meter street and its drainage system next to the upcoming kindergarten building.

Since 2021, all new buildings and sealed surfaces in the Czech Republic must be equipped with a rainwater collection system to obtain a completion certificate. Thus, incorporating a modern stormwater management system was integral to the kindergarten project, and the municipality announced an open tender in spring 2023.

Entailing turnkey drainage, attenuation and monitoring system, and technical support for the contractor throughout the construction process, Pipelife Czechia's solution outshined the competition.  

_{From Rain to Drain}

The works commenced with rehabilitating the drainage network connecting to the planned kindergarten site. In total, 370 meters of Pipelife's PP Master SN 12, DN 300 drainage pipes were used for the newly reconstructed street.

The drainage network leads to a DN 1000 filtration shaft equipped with two DN 200 filtration sets. The shaft prevents tiny mechanical particles present in runoff water from entering the attenuation tank.

The 60-m3 underground attenuation tank is a major part of the system, as it can retain a large amount of rainwater and gradually release it in the nearby stream. Such a system alleviates the town's public sewage systems while minimizing flooding risks in the surrounding areas.

In total, 136 Pipelife's Stormbox II stormwater retention and infiltration crates were used to build the underground reservoir. A DN 1000 regulation shaft, equipped with a Mosbaek vortex valve, ensures precise rainwater outflow regulation between 0.6 – 0.7 l/s.

_{Bringing in Digital Technologies}

A standout feature of Pipelife's solution is the preliminary warning system for situations of extreme weather and potential flooding, which, amid the changing climate, is crucial for public facilities, such as kindergartens.

The system can monitor water levels in the tank and the infiltration rates — which is ensured by integrating Pipelife's smart level meter into the revision shaft.

As a result, the municipality is able to monitor its stormwater system 24/7 via Pipelife SmartHub — a web-based data and software platform with integrated weather data analysis. In case there is a risk of flooding, an SMS or email alert is immediately sent to system operators, allowing the municipality to take preemptive measures. 

_{Supporting Installers for Flawless Result}

The installation of the complete system was carried out by the construction company Swietelsky. While this project marked Swietelsky's first experience with the Stormbox II system, the contractor was pleased with the product quality, installation ease and the outstanding technical guidance received from Pipelife's representatives throughout the construction remotely and on-site.

Pipelife's representatives Michal Zalesak and Ivo Bittner were present during system construction, providing guidance, mentorship, and direct involvement in the assembly process. Their support included training on Stormbox II installation, physical assembly of various components, and determining optimal solutions for specific challenges.

Filip Landa, Construction Manager at Swietelsky, sums up his team’s experience: “For us, this was the first installation of such an attenuation tank, and we were pleased to have the necessary technical assistance from Pipelife. The on-site support and the training we received turned a slightly daunting part of the project into an exciting experience for our whole team. We look forward to using the Stormbox II system in future projects.”

_{Putting the New System to the Test}

The completed stormwater management system, finalized in mid-December 2023, showcased its functionality within the first days. Atypically heavy rains during Christmas led to flooding in several regions of Czechia, including Hostivice.

However, the newly installed stormwater management system proved instrumental in mitigating the impact of the downpour and keeping the surrounding area flood-free.

The unexpected weather event validated the reliability and high performance of the newly installed infrastructure, highlighting the importance of modern stormwater management solutions when it comes to handling today's climate challenges.