Retention refers to the process of capturing, collecting, and storing water in the natural environment or artificial reservoirs. It is a key element of water resource management and helps mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods.
Types of Retention:
1. Natural Retention
• The process of water retention within ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, soil, or water bodies (lakes, rivers).
• It plays a crucial role in maintaining the water balance of the environment.
2. Artificial Retention
• Collecting water in reservoirs, rainwater retention systems, or underground storage.
• Utilized for municipal, industrial, or agricultural purposes.
Importance of Retention:
• Drought prevention – Ensures water availability during periods of scarcity.
• Managing water surplus – Reduces the impact of floods by allowing controlled release of accumulated resources.
• Ecosystem support – Provides water for plants, animals, and humans.
• Climate change adaptation – Enhances the environment’s capacity to handle extreme weather conditions.
In the context of urban planning and infrastructure, retention is particularly important for stormwater management systems, as it helps minimize the risk of flooding and enables the reuse of rainwater.
The Polish Atlas of Rainfall Intensities (PANDa) is a digital platform that provides accurate and up-to-date data on design rainfall intensities for all cities in Poland.
Developed based on 30 years of data from 100 measurement stations, PANDa enables professional management of drainage systems and the design of water and sewage infrastructure by delivering essential information about atmospheric precipitation.