412
T. Ciupa and R. Suligowski
The conducted analysis for the years 2003-2016 indicates a constant increase in
the ratio of the average share of treated wastewater with increased biogen removal in
the total volume of generated wastewater. It is described by a polynomial equation of
the 2nd degree with a high coefficient of determination R
2
= 0.99 (Fig. 17.4). In 308
cities, 100% biogens along with other pollutants were removed, while in 378 cities
this process was not carried out. In 2016, the voivodeship capitals showed a large variation in the characteristics described, i.e. from 49.8% (Katowice) to 100% (Warsaw,
Łód´ z). It is worth noting that in 2003, in Szczecin this rate had a value of 16%, in
Cracow—24.5% and it reached 100% in none of the voivodeship capitals (maximum
in Lublin—99.6%). At that time, Szczecin was on the infamous “black list” of the
biggest pollsters of the Baltic Sea—announced by the Commission for the Protection
of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM). Visible improvement is a
result of putting many modern, highly efficient sewage treatment plants into operation (e.g. in 2010 “Pomorzany” in Szczecin) or modernization of previously existing
ones (among others, 2010—“Sitkówka” in Kielce, 2012—“Czajka” in Warsaw).
17.7 Water Policy
While carrying out the tasks of sustainable development of a city concerning surface
and underground waters, shaping the interaction between the human and the water
environment is of particular importance, taking into account the safety of its inhabitants. In many Polish cities, a number of administrative, technical and pro-ecological
activities are undertaken that have a spatial and socio-economic dimension, anchored
in the European and Polish legal system.
Additionally, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Council of Europe
adopted the Water Framework Directive [118] establishing the directions of Community actions in the field of water policy and the Flood Directive [140] aimed at
reducing the risk of flooding and minimizing its effects. It is complemented by
numerous programs that take into account the sustainable development of cities (e.g.
New Urbanism, Eco-Urbanism, Green Urbanism). As well as programs aimed at
limiting periodic excess of rainwater and surface runoff associated with city sealing,
protection of water ecosystems, rational management and use of existing resources
including Sustainable Urban Drainage System—SUDS [141] and Water Sensitive
Urban Design—WSUD [142]. Design trends related to architecture taking into
account the need for direct contact between city inhabitants and water have also
appeared, e.g. Water Urbanism or even Floating Urbanization [143]. With Poland’s
accession to the European Union, the Polish legal system in the field of water policy
is gradually adapting to the existing regulations and Community requirements, which
prefer sustainable development [77]. The effective implementation of water policy in
the city in the field of water management and defining the terms of water resources
consumption is currently provided by the Water Law [119]. The rules contained
therein determine the possibilities of full use of the law by the municipal authorities of a city in order to undertake comprehensive pro-ecological activities, including
T. Ciupa and R. Suligowski
The conducted analysis for the years 2003-2016 indicates a constant increase in
the ratio of the average share of treated wastewater with increased biogen removal in
the total volume of generated wastewater. It is described by a polynomial equation of
the 2nd degree with a high coefficient of determination R
2
= 0.99 (Fig. 17.4). In 308
cities, 100% biogens along with other pollutants were removed, while in 378 cities
this process was not carried out. In 2016, the voivodeship capitals showed a large variation in the characteristics described, i.e. from 49.8% (Katowice) to 100% (Warsaw,
Łód´ z). It is worth noting that in 2003, in Szczecin this rate had a value of 16%, in
Cracow—24.5% and it reached 100% in none of the voivodeship capitals (maximum
in Lublin—99.6%). At that time, Szczecin was on the infamous “black list” of the
biggest pollsters of the Baltic Sea—announced by the Commission for the Protection
of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM). Visible improvement is a
result of putting many modern, highly efficient sewage treatment plants into operation (e.g. in 2010 “Pomorzany” in Szczecin) or modernization of previously existing
ones (among others, 2010—“Sitkówka” in Kielce, 2012—“Czajka” in Warsaw).
17.7 Water Policy
While carrying out the tasks of sustainable development of a city concerning surface
and underground waters, shaping the interaction between the human and the water
environment is of particular importance, taking into account the safety of its inhabitants. In many Polish cities, a number of administrative, technical and pro-ecological
activities are undertaken that have a spatial and socio-economic dimension, anchored
in the European and Polish legal system.
Additionally, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Council of Europe
adopted the Water Framework Directive [118] establishing the directions of Community actions in the field of water policy and the Flood Directive [140] aimed at
reducing the risk of flooding and minimizing its effects. It is complemented by
numerous programs that take into account the sustainable development of cities (e.g.
New Urbanism, Eco-Urbanism, Green Urbanism). As well as programs aimed at
limiting periodic excess of rainwater and surface runoff associated with city sealing,
protection of water ecosystems, rational management and use of existing resources
including Sustainable Urban Drainage System—SUDS [141] and Water Sensitive
Urban Design—WSUD [142]. Design trends related to architecture taking into
account the need for direct contact between city inhabitants and water have also
appeared, e.g. Water Urbanism or even Floating Urbanization [143]. With Poland’s
accession to the European Union, the Polish legal system in the field of water policy
is gradually adapting to the existing regulations and Community requirements, which
prefer sustainable development [77]. The effective implementation of water policy in
the city in the field of water management and defining the terms of water resources
consumption is currently provided by the Water Law [119]. The rules contained
therein determine the possibilities of full use of the law by the municipal authorities of a city in order to undertake comprehensive pro-ecological activities, including