In August 2002, Prague experienced the worst deluge in over 500 hundred years. 5% of the City area was flooded (2,480 hectares out of the total area of 49,612 hectares). 48,480 people were evacuated from the affected areas of Prague.

Due to the floods, a huge volume of debris was generated throughout the City, the disposal of which ended in July 2003. The disposal of this debris was the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure of the Prague City Council.

Prior to the flood

Once the 2nd level of the flood alert was declared, waste collection was carried out before the respective area was closed for the expected flooding.

For the sake of safety, large-volume containers were removed from the flooded areas and on the 12th August 2002, evacuation of the “Voctářova” waste disposal site began, which involved dismantling corrugated iron fencing which could have adverse affects on the rise of the water level.

Operators of dumpsites located outside Prague were then contacted. The City has drawn up agreements with them on waste disposal in the event of emergencies. The operator of the “Malešice” Incinerator Plant negotiated with the Prague Heat utility Co. in order to accelerate the reactivation of the facility, which was out of service due to a heat supply shutdown.

During and immediately after the floods

During the floods and immediately afterwards, debris was generated from alluvial sediments (mud, vegetation), from foodstuffs and dead animals, from household equipment (furniture, personal effects, refrigerating and freezing equipment), building rubble, etc.

As soon as the water receded in August 2002, the City, City Districts, inhabitants, and entrepreneurs started to remove flood-induced waste from the affected areas.

Because of the increased volume of waste, pre-selected locations were used for the temporary storage of waste before its transfer onto disposal sites.

A private company collected hazardous waste and started with refrigerating and freezing equipment, which was heavily contaminated with decaying foodstuffs.On 17th August 2002, the three incinerators of the “Malešice” incineration plant were put into operation. The incineration plant mostly dealt with the disposal of municipal waste such as decaying foodstuff, which was collected into plastic bags. Rotten foodstuff was removed from flooded supermarkets, flooded food warehouses and large market places, etc.

Further actions following the flood

Waste from the majority of temporary storage sites was disposed of by the beginning of September 2002 and these sites were closed.

The last temporary storage site was returned back to its original use by the 10th July 2003. Waste from these sites was taken to a dumpsite and to an incineration plant.

The bedrock of temporary waste storage sites was analysed after the waste disposal for potential contamination and any necessary decontamination measures were undertaken. Only a slight contamination was found at one temporary storage site and it is possible that the source of contamination was not the flood-induced waste stored there. At present, the site is being reclaimed. Analyses of the other sites proved that the temporary storage of flood-induced waste did not affect the bedrock in an adverse manner.

Conclusion

In total, 226,000 tons of flood-induced waste from the City of Prague were transferred to dumpsites. About 4,000 tons of flood-induced waste had been used for energy generation in the “Malešice” incineration plant by 31st November 2002. 106 tons of hazardous waste were collected, approximately 1,800 tons of which came from refrigerators and freezers.

In almost 11 months, fifteen sites used for the temporary storage of waste generated during the floods, were cleaned.

Overall costs spent on the cleaning of flood-induced waste came to approximately CZK 281,054 million including VAT. This figure is based on the invoices received by 31st July 2003. All invoices related to the disposal of flood-induced waste will be processed.