Brief intro to the WaterMan pilot measure

In Braniewo, Poland, a “rain garden” was created in the car park of the local swimming pool. A part of the area has been unsealed and redesigned by planting vegetation and by creating a catch basin so that stormwater running off the asphalt and the roof of the indoor swimming pool is retained on site to infiltrate gradually into the soil – instead of increasing pressure on the sewage system.

The rain garden is able to store at least 30 millimetres of precipitation per square metre (following standards used in Gdańsk). This will provide sufficient water to the plants in the car park, naturally promote greening and reduce the need for additional irrigation with drinking water. The rain garden also delivers wider ecosystem and urban-development benefits: it reduces the effect of urban heat islands, increases biodiversity and treats of stormwater through sedimentation, filtration, sorption, and the uptake of biogenic compounds by the plants. Aesthetic and educational value comes with is, too.

Type of pilot measure: Real-world implementation
Location: Braniewo (Poland)
Water source: Stormwater
Type of treatment: Natural self-purification processes (sedimentation, filtration, sorption, biodegradation) enhanced by eco-engineering design
Target water quality: Natural stormwater quality
Utilisation: Irrigation of plants in the car park
Return to natural cycle: Increased infiltration and evapotranspiration
Responsible: Braniewo Municipality / Gdańsk University of Technology
Operational & open for visitors: Since Sept 2025

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“The Low-Hanging Fruit of a Rain Garden“ - read the full story behind the pilot measure

In the past, the car park in front of the indoor swimming pool in Braniewo, Poland, was heavily sealed – an urban heat island in summer and, in spring, an exacerbating factor for flooding. Today, a rain garden stores water, cools the surroundings, and enhances the area. So simple, so important, so transferable across the entire Baltic Sea Region. Read more...

In-depth information on the pilot measure

Pilot measure overview (final status) These slides present the final shape of the pilot measure, including its context, implementation, and key lessons learned.

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The evolution of the concept (until today) These slides give an account of the work process behind the chosen technical-organisational concept, incl. considerations, recommendations and decisions taken at different stages. Scroll through the slides to chronologically follow the iterative “development journey” of the pilot measure step-by-step, from the initial idea to its present status!

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