EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The method is employed to make sure that sewers and rainwater drains stay separate
Valmiera’s official portal reported this week on the results of an interesting test campaign that has been evolving since January – using a smoke method to find out if rainwaters are being discharged into the sewers in residential homes. The initial campaign in the Latvian town showed that out of 386 inspected properties, 45 had such infractions, in other words, every 8th house.
The operation was carried out by the local water supply company Valmieras ūdens, and the owners whose water drainage systems were found to be irregular have been duly notified with a notice to rectify the situation.
Some readers might wonder what the big deal is to discharge rainwater in the city sewer system, and yet others might even be surprised that the two flows are managed by different pipe networks and do not end up in the same place.
The difference is that rainwater comes from nature and is meant to return there without treatments, meaning it is led back to streams and rivers. Water that has been used for domestic purposes is often contaminated with impurities after operations, such as cleaning and consequently goes through treatment stations. Adding rainwater to the sewers poses the risk of overburdening them and consequently causing them to overflow and create floods on the streets – that is why the two are kept separate.
The way the test itself worked was by placing a smoke generator inside the pipes and see where it comes out of the drains. The officials assured that the smoke itself was harmless to the environment and humans.
The property owners where the infractions have been detected will have to take steps to disconnect the rainwater drains from the centralized sewer system. If it is not considered possible the water supply company has said that owners can request paid services for rainwater drainage and treatment.
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
And the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team