The water treatment plant in Nová Ves u Frýdlantu nad Ostravicí and four wastewater treatment plants opened their doors on the World Water Day. Both children and parents were introduced to production of drinking water, troubleshooting in water networks and treatment of wastewater.

Ostrava, 25 March 2017. More than four hundred visitors (typically, the families with children) enjoyed a unique opportunity offered in connection with the World Water Day by Severomoravské vodovody a kanalizace Ostrava. SmVaK Ostrava opened doors of its wastewater treatment plant in Opava, Nový Jičín, Karviná and Frýdek-Místek and the water treatment plant in Nová Ves u Frýdlantu nad Ostravicí. The capacity for visitors was filled up almost completely, considering the fact that the plants did not interrupt their operation.

The water treatment plant in Nová Ves treats 2,200 litres of drinking water per second. It is the biggest water treatment plant in the Beskydy region – it supplies drinking water to 60 towns and cities in this region and to consumers in the border area of Poland. The visitors were informed how raw water from the Šance Dam is treated before it is supplied to consumers.

“I think most of people do not have any clear idea what is needed so that a quality drinking water could flow from water taps at home. We explained each step in the process and introduced the visitors to the highly advanced and interesting process of treatment during which the drinking water is produced from the raw water. A lot of            questions have been asked – it is clear that the topic, if presented reasonably, is very interesting, typically for those with technical background. And of course, the filter hall, the imaginary heart of the plant, impresses all those who enter it for the first time in their lives. And our visitors were not an exception. Maybe some of the school children, and there were rather many of them among the guests, will join us as future water experts", says Jiří Komínek, Director of the Ostrava Area Water System.

After the excursion the visitors had a look at the water metering car with advanced equipment. Water experts demonstrated identification of pipe failures using a soil microphone with a visual and acoustic feedback and explained factors (plastic pipes, external sources of noise or past repairs without entries in protocols) which could make the process more complicated.

Those who visited four wastewater treatment plants in district centres in the Moravian-Silesian Region walked along the route of water – from where the wastewater enters the plant until its discharge after treatment back to the nature. The plant staff explained the process and parameters that the water should complied with before it is discharged back to the natural environment.

In addition to the excursion with detailed comments, the visitors saw a sewage truck which is used for cleaning the sewers, sewerage and rainwater. Experts demonstrated use of the equipment and devices in practical operation.

 “We also explained what should be avoided in the sewerage and drew attention to the problems resulting from incorrect things and substances being dropped into a sewage system. This is a serious problem we have been addressing all the time in our plants. In spite of our efforts to educate the people, the situation has not improved yet.  We believe that we should focus on the little ones, as there were rather many children among the visitors. They can motivate the adults not to make the life more difficult for water business, not to contribute to technical problems in the water network or wastewater treatment plant, and, mainly, not to cause damage to the living environment, says Jan Tlolka, Director of Sewage Systems. 

World Water Day
The United Nations' (UN) World Water Day is held on March 22 each year since 1993. It was formally proposed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The reason was, particularly, that more than a billion of people all over the world was suffering from lack of drinking water or had no access to drinking water.

• UN and non-government organisations focus on water issues and pay particular attention to purity and protection of water, water savings and protection of water resources.

• Each year, a certain theme is chosen. In 2014 the theme was Water and Energy. In 2015: Water and Sustainable Development. Last year, it was Better Water, Better Jobs, while this year theme is Waste Water.

Kontakt:

Mgr. Marek Síbrt, mluvčí

Severomoravské vodovody a kanalizace Ostrava a.s.

28. října 1235/169, Mariánské Hory, 709 00 Ostrava.

tel. 725 500 509

e-mail marek.sibrt@smvak.cz
www.smvak.cz