Smarter Stormwater Management: Advanced Flood Protection System Safeguards a Grocery Store in Warsaw

With the recent rise in extreme weather events, more businesses and commercial properties have been seeking advanced flood protection measures. Across Europe, the growing demand for smart stormwater management solutions has been driven by their ability to prevent overflows and protect buildings from flooding, providing property owners with peace of mind. One of Poland's largest retail chains, recently installed Pipelife's smart stormwater management system at its newest facility in Warsaw, future-proofing the store against extreme rainfall.

_{Cutting-Edge Flood Damage Protection for a Leading Retailer}

One of Poland’s leading grocery chains recently opened a new store in southern Warsaw. As the area is at increased risk of flooding due to nearby water bodies, Pipelife Poland was contracted to design and supply a state-of-the-art stormwater management system for the newly built retail facility.

In spring 2024, a stormwater infiltration body consisting of 588 Stormbox II crates was installed under the store's parking lot. To ensure additional protection against flood damage in case of extreme rainfall, the system was additionally equipped with a smart water level sensor connected to Pipelife SmartHub, a remote asset management and control solution.

_{How Does Smart Stormwater Management Work?}

The sensor unit was positioned in a dedicated measuring chamber connected to the infiltration tank. The sensors track key parameters at regular intervals and transmit the data to Pipelife's cloud-based SmartHub platform via the NB-IoT network. 

The system operators receive a range of notifications, including:

• Fill level (mm) 

• Filled volume (%)

• Filled and free volume (m3)

• Ambient temperature (°C)

• Battery status (mV) 

The system allows for the measurement periods to be adjusted remotely, with intervals ranging from 2 minutes to 18 hours. Monitoring frequency can be set to increase automatically in case the preset alarm levels are exceeded. 

All collected data are stored in SmartHub, which automatically generates reports, logs and archives, as well as sends alerts and notifications, allowing for prompt intervention if water levels start to rise. Pipelife SmartHub's interface was tailored to the customer's individual needs and preferences, offering a clear overview of the system's status and key metrics. 

_{Straightforward Use, Worry-Free Infrastructure Management}

The smart stormwater management solution for the new retail facility was installed by the experienced contractor EEC Damian Kaczyński. Work on the underground infiltration tank began in April, and the smart sensor suite was set up in July with customized operation settings specified by the client.

After using the system for a few months, the customer has already expressed high satisfaction with Pipelife's solution, emphasizing the ease of use of SmartHub's dashboard and the importance of remote asset management in decreasing flooding risks and improving resource efficiency. 

The investment exemplifies how businesses can future-proof commercial properties against extreme weather, ensuring long-term sustainability, reduced running costs and peace of mind for property owners.