Scientists are working on a proposal to better manage rainwater in cities

Nový Bydžov, Jaworzno, Stuttgart and Varaždin jointly focused on the challenges of the urban water cycle in the context of climate change. At a time when torrential rains and long droughts are becoming commonplace, experts from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy are looking for ways to keep rainwater in cities and use it for technological purposes. In addition to reducing runoff into sewers, they are focusing on how to use rainwater efficiently and relieve drinking water consumption and unnecessary water waste.

"Our aim is not only to map the situation, but above all to propose concrete measures to make the best use of the city's rainwater potential and reduce the consumption of drinking water in Nový Bydžov," says Tomáš Lederer from CXI TUL. The Czech team has been monitoring the development of rainfall in Nový Bydžov for a long time and is looking for new ways in which the city can use the captured rainwater as a replacement source in the future, for example for ice production at the ice rink or for water treatment at the city swimming pool. In this context, Liberec scientists are analysing the amount of available rainwater and its potential for the sustainable development of the city.

In addition to analysing and proposing a future strategy for the city, the researchers are working together in a wider European consortium. Together with partners, they are developing a strategy to respond to climate change in urban water management. The document produced is designed to identify gaps in current approaches to flooding and drought that the selected cities have repeatedly had to address, to propose changes that will enable more efficient use of rainfall, and to define key actions that cities should focus on.

The MAURICE project aims to improve urban adaptation to climate change through sustainable water management solutions. The project includes several pilot actions where innovative approaches to rainwater harvesting are tested and action plans are developed to ensure the long-term sustainability of these measures.

 The project involves a wide range of partners from several European countries:

- Central Mining Institute (GIG), Department of Water Protection, Katowice, Poland (lead partner)
- Municipality of Jaworzno, Poland
- State Capital Stuttgart, Germany
- City of Nový Bydzov, Czech Republic
- Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic
- Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy
- East Ticino Reclamation and Irrigation Consortium Villoresi, Italy
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Slovenia
- Water Supply and Sewerage Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia
- Varaždin Municipality, Croatia

These partners are working together on innovative solutions to manage water resources more efficiently and on a strategy to help cities adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.