Water is the source of life – but are we aware of how important conscious water use is? MIVÍZ Kft. has sought to answer this question through a truly comprehensible awareness project, while bringing the significance of water utility services closer to the public. The project was jointly supported by the European Union and the Hungarian State.
The next time we turn on the tap, let’s think about the journey that led to the crystal-clear drinking water, and how much depends on us, the consumers. MIVÍZ Kft. aims to show the residents of Miskolc and Felsőzsolca that the responsibility for water is not only the service provider’s but also ours. This awareness-raising project not only shared dry statistics but also drew attention to the awareness of water usage through exciting and attractive events, playful challenges, and community programs.
The three fundamental questions of sustainable water management were conveyed: Let’s save drinking water! We use the sewer channel consciously! If it’s possible, let’s consume tap water!
Why is tap water better? How can we reduce our water consumption? What should we pay attention to regarding what we throw into the sewer, and why and how should we protect our water sources? The overarching theme of the various informational events was that the operation of the drinking water network and wastewater treatment are not merely technical details that are external to us. Rather, they are a shared issue whose success is contingent upon the attitude of the population and consumers.
Awareness-raising was conducted through numerous exciting, hands-on, interactive programs, where every age group could find an information platform that interested them. The spring visits were particularly popular, where participants could get up close and personal with the journey of drinking water and get a glimpse behind the scenes of wastewater treatment. From preschoolers to high school students, they could participate in age-specific water education sessions, where they could deepen their knowledge with exciting quizzes. Everyone’s favorite was the “water tram,” a special educational route that not only transports but also teaches.
Drawing and photography competitions were announced, where children and young people could express in a creative way what water means to them. The winning works were exhibited, allowing the entire target audience to also be part of the positive thoughts of the future generation. Modern technology could not be left out of the repertoire either. Through the further development of the MIVÍZ application, users could track their water consumption in a playful way and receive useful tips for saving water.
In keeping with the significance of the issue, several Miskolc celebrities took part in conveying the messages: they promoted tap water as a sustainable alternative to bottled waters and soft drinks on posters and in videos. The local community thus received personal examples of the importance of water awareness that they could easily and willingly identify with.
The project has left behind some tangible memories: six new, exceptionally demanding and attractively designed drinking fountains have been established in Miskolc and Felsőzsolca, which not only provide fresh water to the thirsty but can also become symbols of an environmentally conscious lifestyle.
According to the project leaders, their initiative could be more than just a one-time campaign: it could bring long-term changes to the life of cities. The population can become more conscious of water usage, which contributes to the protection of water sources, the reduction of wastewater discharge, and the implementation of sustainable water management, always reminding us of how to take care of our shared treasure, water. Clean water, livable future!
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project KEHOP-2.1.7-19-2019-00001 under the Environmental and Energy Efficiency Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
