Bytom's
Green Future

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT OF THE FUTURE
The construction of the "Śródmieście" Sewage Treatment Plant in Bytom, which was commenced in 1985, is to be completed soon. Five years ago, the investment was halted due to a lack of funds. Now, new sources of financing have been found. The facility will consist of two major parts; a large pumping station located in the center of the municipality and a sewage treatment plant located in the neighboring municipality of Radzionków.
The experts from the Bytomskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunalne (BPK - Bytom Municipal Company) who are carrying out the investment say that there are two main sources of financing: the PHARE fund and the company's own resources. The EU subsidy will finance the construction of the pumping station at the Śródmieście sewage treatment plant and a pipeline. In addition, PHARE will fund the completion of the investment and the purchase of the plant's equipment. As a result, part of an old facility located in the city center will be closed.
The company will purchase some of the equipment for the Radzionków plant, i.e. its biological and sludge collection units. It is estimated that both PHARE and BPK will provide approx. PLN 30 million. Last month, the pumping station and delivery pipeline construction site were officially commissioned.

THE FALL OF OLD FURNACES
If the modernization of the heating network in Bytom will continue at its current speed, obsolete coal-fired furnaces will soon become a thing of the past. In the mid-1990-s, following research on low-level emissions, local ecologists initiated a program for the heating network's modernization. The results of the research have shown that in winter the atmosphere in the city is up to 40% more polluted than in other seasons. Dust and chemical substances resulting from the burning of plastics in traditional furnaces are among the most noxious pollutants. In order to change the situation, local authorities have decided that each resident who exchanges old coal-fired furnace for an alternative means of heating will obtain reimbursement of a part of the costs. As a result, in the years 1995-2000, 2,562 people decided to use the subsidy.
Next, the Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej (Power Engineering Company) closed eight noxious local boiler houses located in the city center. However, it was the educational authority that introduced the largest changes in the city. It decided to modernize the heating systems at all schools and kindergartens in Bytom. This was made possible thanks to financial support provided by environmental protection funds, a municipal subsidy, and a loan. By 2000, almost 90 obsolete boiler houses were closed in Bytom.

REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The introduction of new ecological production technologies, modernization of local boiler houses and the promotion of environmental protection at industrial facilities are only few examples of the changes being introduced in Bytom. Information on environmental conditions in the city and the initiatives taken to introduce such changes can be found in the "Report on the Natural Environment", covering the years 1994-2000, which has been prepared by local officials.
The Report presents an outline of the environmental conditions in the region. Its main objective is to increase ecological awareness among city residents and provide information on the environment in Bytom. The document will be available at local schools and companies.
The Report provides information on various aspects of environment, such as water, air, and soil, as well as the levels of municipal and process waste and noise in the city. The document also presents local initiatives regarding environmental protection. In addition to tables and diagrams representing pollution levels, it contains data on the health of local residents. According to experts, the Report is a professionally prepared document, and will be updated in the years to come.
The Report can also be found on the Internet at: www.um.bytom.pl.ekologia