Clean Water Week - cleaning up the clay ponds

On the occasion of the Water Cleanliness Week, on Sunday 7th April 2013, the Exploring Sub-Warsaw Diving Group invites you to an underwater cleanup in the Cietrzewia Clinks located in the Warsaw district of Włochy. An unusual opportunity to log real open water diving in the capital and do something good for our planet!

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During the reconnaissance in August 2012, the diving conditions were better than expected. Up to 4-5 metres visibility was maximum 1 metre, but mostly less than half a metre. From 6-7 metres there was darkness and visibility improved to about 2 metres. The bottom of the reservoir is like a spongy black desert. The greatest depth is 9.5 metres.

We observed bottles, cans, plastic waste and car tyres under the water, so we decided to locate it in the April Clean Water Week. The Department of Environmental Protection of the Warsaw District Office has granted permission for the action and will also be responsible for the removal of the collected waste.

In 1842, the first brickworks was established in Włochy, which exploited the clay deposits. Clay was abundant in this area, so brick production was moved from place to place until the raw material was exhausted. Today, the only trace of the factory are the numerous ponds (e.g. the ponds in Cietrzewia Street and Capricorn Street). In 1844 the brickyard and the entire settlement was purchased by Koelichen and remained in the hands of his descendants until the property was parceled out to the City of Garden Italy in 1928.

The ponds are shrouded in legends about their very depth and about a German tank or plane sunk in them, as well as a large catfish or other fish lurking in the rushes. Modernisation work carried out in the 1990s did not confirm these stories, but who knows… further exploration is always a chance to check the veracity of the old legends.

The underwater cleaning of the ponds is part of a series of events organised as part of the celebrations of the 85th anniversary of the City of Gardens Italy (more at www.mow.waw.pl).

Terrain: 3.91 hectares; Water: 4.16 hectares (Marginal Clay, Cressman’s Clay), average depth 4.1 metres. Maximum 10 metres.

Deadline:

Sunday, 7 April 2013, 10:00 am.

One dive is planned.

More information will appear in due course at www.gepn.pl and facebook.com/GEPN.POLSKA