Sustainable retrofitting of Soviet-era heritage bathhouses: greywater reuse and geothermal heat recovery at the Arasan Complex
Eginov A.
October 2025IWA Publishing
Water Practice and Technology
2025#20Issue 102142 - 2158 pp.
This paper proposes an engineering framework for sustainable retrofitting of Soviet-era heritage bathhouses through integrated greywater reuse and geothermal heat recovery systems. The study addresses the combined objectives of minimizing environmental impact and preserving the architectural integrity of water-intensive heritage facilities. Using the Arasan Bath Complex in Almaty, Kazakhstan, as a case study, I developed a modular treatment system incorporating ultrafiltration, activated carbon, and ozone disinfection for shower and pool wastewater reuse. A hybrid heating concept integrating geothermal heat pumps with greywater heat exchangers was designed and evaluated. Simulation results indicate a potential 30% reduction in freshwater consumption (30,000 m3 annually) and 29% thermal energy offset. Economic analysis shows a payback period of 5 years for water reuse and under 8 years for geothermal systems. The modular architecture complies with heritage conservation principles while delivering notable improvements in resource efficiency.
energy recovery , geothermal heat pump , greywater recycling , heritage conservation , sustainable retrofitting , water reuse technologies
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