A prerequisite for achieving high energy efficiency of water supply systems (understood as using less energy to perform the same task) is the appropriate selection of all elements and their rational use. Energy consumption in water supply systems (WSS) is closely connected with water demand. Especially in the case of oversized water supply systems for which consumers’ water demand is at least 50% less than previously planned and flow velocity in some parts of the system is below 0.01 m·s⁻¹, this problem of excessive energy consumption can be observed. In the literature, it is difficult to find descriptions and methods of energy management for such a case. The purpose of this study was both an evaluation of the current demand of an oversized WSS and a preliminary technical analysis of the possibility for energy saving. Solutions are presented that resulted in improvements in energy management, thus increasing energy efficiency. The conducted analyses indicate the wide use of numerical, hydraulic models, among others, for the needs of the sustainable oversize water supply systems management in order to improve energy efficiency. Those simulations only give energy consumption results as a first step in the process of decision-making for the modernization process, in which investment costs should be taken into account as a second step. Thus, this paper emphasizes the crucial role of hydraulic models as a good analytical tool used in decision support systems (DSS), especially for large, oversized water supply systems.

The issue discussed in this article concerns corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is playing an increasingly important role in the context of sustainable development of enterprises. The purpose of the current work was to assess the practices applied in the area of corporate social responsibility in water and sanitation companies, based on the opinions of employees and managers. The motivation for undertaking research on this topic resulted from the scarcity of scientific studies on the measurement of the corporate social responsibility concept in water and sanitization companies using a multidimensional approach based on the ISO 26000 standard. The study used methodological triangulation based on the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to verify information from different sources. This approach allowed the authors to obtain the data more effectively and analyze the problem from numerous different perspectives. The study used an interview method that targeted water and sanitization utility staff. In-depth research was based on the case study method, which is particularly important when researching complex phenomena. For this purpose, surveys were carried out, the results of which indicate that corporate social responsibility of the surveyed enterprise is at a high level, and that there are statistically significant differences between individual dimensions of CSR. The results indicate that the surveyed company is oriented towards supporting activities in the area of corporate social responsibility, in accordance with the in the concept of sustainable development.

The article discusses the issue of smart specializations treated as a significant mechanism stimulating innovative development of water and wastewater economy. The article shows the links between the developing of smart specializations and the possibility of development innovative, research and development of the economy. The aim of the article is to present the meaning of the concept of smart specialization in the development of innovative water and wastewater economy at the national level and on the example of the Silesian Region. To achieve the goal, the theoretical assumptions of the concept of smart specialization were also presented. In particular, the article emphasizes the need for cooperation, establishing partnerships for the development of smart specializations that contribute to solving problems and increasing the competitiveness of EU countries and regions.

Energy management in enterprises is an important issue in the context of improving energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption. This is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy management system of water and wastewater utility in the context of sustainable development based on the opinions of managers and employees. The results indicate the involvement of the surveyed enterprise in energy management system development activity. This demonstrates the orientation of the surveyed enterprise to support activities to improve energy performance in line with the implementation of sustainable development. The added value is that the developed research tool can be used in studies of other enterprises to assess the level of energy management.