Environmental protection
Through its operations, every airport affects its natural environment to a larger or lesser degree. Environmental protection often requires more work, technical thought, and funds. Having the natural environment in mind, Port Lotniczy Wrocław S.A. implements many programmes for protecting the environment against noise emission, air, ground- and thaw-water pollution, and waste generation.
Noise. One of the most significant environmental impacts is undoubtedly noise which is directly related to the nature of airport activities and constant airline operations; its presence cannot be entirely eliminated. The activities intended to reduce the noise are part of the airport’s strategy and treated as priority.
At the moment, we are operating the system of constant monitoring of aircraft noise. The maintenance of the system, drawing up of relevant reports, and conducting acoustic research are a responsibility of an accredited research laboratory, in accordance with the applicable Ordinance of the Minister of Environment of 16 June 2011 on the requirements for conducting measurements of the levels of substances or energy in the environment by the operator of roads, railways, tramway lines, airports, ports (Dz.U. [Journal of Laws] No. 140, item 824, as amended). The noise monitoring system consists of four measurement station located around the airport, which draw up on-going reports on the noise events and the weather conditions. The data collected during the study is then sent to the accredited laboratory which processes and identifies particular amounts of noise events resulting from flight operations in a given period.
Thanks to the constant monitoring, the data supports development of optimal solutions and contribute to reduction of the noise emission to the surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that many of our activities intended to reduce the noise around the airport are conducted in close collaboration with the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency. Among others, we develop and implement silent take-off and landing procedures which all aircraft operators are obliged to comply with.
Other anti-noise measures include the noise barriers near the terminal, which have significantly reduced the emission of noise generated by the operations conducted on the apron. That is not all; we are continuing to conduct acoustic research and detailed analyses which serve as a basis for constructing new noise barriers.
Waste and sewage management. In compliance with the environmental protection regulations, the airport conducts constant study of the quality of sewage, groundwater, meteoric water, and thaw-water from the airport area. In 2016, thanks to the subsidy from the Environment and Agriculture Department of the Wrocław City Hall for a total amount of PLN 434,540.05 net, the biological and mechanic airport sewage treatment plant was decommissioned and part of the facilities was connected to the municipal sewage system; as a result, the quality of surface water around the airport has improved. The airport has the permits required under the Water Law and operates in accordance with the applicable standards.
Waste management. The activities of the Airport also result in generation of several types of waste. The decision on waste generation obtained by the Airport defines in detail what and how much waste the Airport may generate per year. There has been a system of storing and transferring waste to recipients with necessary permits for the transport and disposal thereof.
Wild animals. The presence of birds and mammals in the airport area or ground air traffic zone poses a threat to aircraft. There are necessary activities conducted to ensure the safety of flight operations One of the airport employees (a so-called falconer) is responsible for scaring away birds and for monitoring wild animals and keeping them away from the airport. There is also an automatic system for scaring away birds from the airport, which is powered by solar energy. These methods are not harmful for birds and animals residing in the airport surroundings.
Stage II
Project titled: “Active Protection of Bird (Aves) Species in the Surrounding Area of the Passenger Terminal at the Copernicus Airport Wrocław: Stage II.”
Total value of the project: PLN 64,812.00 net
The amount of the subsidy from the Voivodship (Provincial) Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: PLN 38,880.00 net
Goals of the project:
- active protection of the species by minimising or reducing the negative impact of glass elements of the airport infrastructure on the avifauna.
- protection of the natural habitat involving the maintenance of its proper structure and function.
Co-financed by the Voivodship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Wrocław
Stage I
Project titled “Active Protection of Bird (Aves) in the Surrounding Area of the Passenger Terminal at the Copernicus Airport Wrocław”
Total value of the project: PLN 82,700.00 net
The amount of the subsidy from the Voivodship (Provincial) Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: PLN 49,600.00 net
Goals of the project:
– active protection of the species by minimising or reducing the negative impact of the airport infrastructure on the avifauna.
– protection of the natural habitat involving the maintenance of its proper structure and function.
Co-financed by the Voivodship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Wrocław