Some uncommon elements can sometimes be present in groundwater and surface water. Metals belong to such elements. Increased concentrations of iron and manganese can be expected in groundwater but higher concentrations of metals such as nickel or arsenic are not typical of such water. Nevertheless, water sources exceeding prescribed limits for drinking water in arsenic and nickel concentrations can also be found. Because of the toxicity of these metals, we started to make a research into the possibilities of removing these elements from water. Our research is funded by a grant from the Brno University of Technology.There is a number of ways to remove heavy metals from water. Sorption on granular media based on iron oxides and hydroxides is currently the most used option. Our experiment was carried out using sorption materials GEH, CFH 0818, CFH 12 and Bayoxide, which are primarily designed to remove arsenic from water. We prepared four columns of an inner diameter of 4.4cm for the purpose of the experiment. The thickness of the filtration media was 0.62cm on average. Nickel, iron and manganese pollution was simulated in a laboratory. The efficacy of metals removal by four selected sorption materials was compared. During the experiment, the flow rate was set to reach the required retention time of 2.5, 7 and 15 minutes.We have found out that the nickel concentration was reduced according to Regulation No. 252/2004 setting the limit value even after the shortest retention time (2.5 mins). Longer retention time had no significant effect on nickel removal. Our measurements also proved that all sorption materials have the ability to remove iron and manganese from water. Bayoxide sorption material achieved the best results in nickel, iron and manganese removal from water

The paper presents the methodology for determining the operating and technical indicators for a preliminary assessment of the elements of water supply system (WSS) such as water treatment plants. The necessary data and system of technical indicators (TI) evaluation using the multi-objective optimization and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) are defined. The proposed methodology allows for the selection and ranking of WSS critical elements for more detailed analyses and suggestions of the type of renewal, including the estimated financial costs. Water treatment plants can be assessed by means of the specific part of the methodology. With respect to the water treatment plants the authors of the methodology realize that it is hard to generalize the entire audit since there are many types of water treatment plants as well as technological elements used. The proposed set of assessment indicators is based on the function of the water treatment plant, i.e. production of drinking water in the required quantity and quality. When assessing the technical condition of the water treatment plant this facility may not be viewed simply in structural and technical terms but it is absolutely necessary and much more important to assess it in technological terms

The paper deals with the possibilities of innovation in water treatment. Attention is focused on the possibilities of using water glass in removing heavy metals and nutrients in water treatment. The partial results are presented from the research, which deals with the removal of chromium and phosphorus from water. A conventional coagulant (aluminium sulfate) was used as a comparison. To verify the effectiveness of these chemicals a series of laboratory experiments was conducted in order to determine the appropriate dosage and working procedure to remove a selected group of pollutants. During the laboratory tests the overall efficiency of removing selected pollutants (chromium and phosphorus) and also turbidity were monitored using liquid aluminium sulfate and water glass.The process of removing mentioned compounds from water was simulated under laboratory conditions. The laboratory experiments carried out on the model water which contained increased concentrations of chromium and phosphorus showed the capability of water glass to remove these pollutants from water. During the research, the dependence between pollutants removal and dose was investigated to achieve the best efficiency using innovative means

The concept of reusing wastewater and rainwater in buildings has recently become more important. There are countries where the use of greywater in some buildings has already been made mandatory (e.g. in Japan for toilet flushing). Such measures are gradually being introduced in the EU, where water recycling projects exist for office buildings and hotels. The Czech Republic still lacks experience and a design background in this area. The article is based on TAČR project No. TA01020311, titled “The use of grey and rain water in buildings”, and summarizes basic information about the quality of greywater, and methods of treating it and recovering its heat.

Indoor swimming pools are energy- and water-intensive facilities. Advanced technologies enable water recovery and eliminate heat consumption by recirculating water used for filter backwashing. The aim of this article is to assess the water and energy savings resulting from the use of backwash water from swimming pool filters through the implementation of a modern technological system. The results of the analyses allow for an assessment of the benefits depending on the assumptions adopted in the national regulations regarding swimming pools in two neighboring countries: Poland and the Czech Republic. The temperature of the water supply to the swimming pool system has a significant impact on heat consumption, as a 7 °C difference between water temperatures in Poland and the Czech Republic causes a 50% increase in heat consumption. The high efficiency of the recycling systems allows for water savings of up to 30 m³ per day. In the case of pools with a water temperature of 26 °C, the energy savings range from 645 to 967 GJ per year, depending on the fresh water temperature. Implementing the system has enormous benefits in the decarbonization process, reducing CO₂ emissions by 80%.