We are FCC - Nº7

P E O P L E S 27 P E O P L E S The already well-known “Tap Ins- pector” of SmVaK, Aqualia’s subsi- diary in the Czech Republic, con- cluded its fourth year awarding this summer twelve restaurants who offer tap water to clients who request it. In addition to the sticker “We ser- ve tap water”, the businesses were given a jug and glasses for serving tap water, comparable to bottled wa- ter thanks to its characteristics and control but, at a much lower cost. The Company SmVaK launched the “Tap Inspector” project in the sum- mer of 2015. Every year, inspectors organised field trips to check how the situation has evolved in the re- gion. “In past years, 70 businesses were willing to join the project. This year, another 50 were willing to ser- ve tap water, underscoring the fact that serving tap water is becoming a commonplace practice. We find that less and less owners reject pro- viding this service to clients since the argument that this may reduce revenues is, from our standpoint, a false assertion. When I go out to drink beer or wine with my friends, I’m will not be drinking water instead. The idea is to offer new alternatives and services rather than eliminating existing ones”, according to Anatol Pšenička, Managing Director of Sm- VaK Ostrava. The project consists mainly of vi- sits to restaurants by company ins- pectors who recommend tap water, talking to clients and owners on its consumption and benefits. With regard to the price of tap water compared to bottled water, in Mora- via-Silesia, the region in which Sm- VaK serves, a litre of tap water costs about 8 Crown cents (equivalent to 0.003 euros), while a bottle of 0.33 litres of non-carbonated water is sold in establishments for about 30 crowns (approximately 1.2 euros). This year, tap inspectors have been visiting mainly the Frýdek-Místek, Havířov and Hlučín counties as well as municipalities in the Odra river area and in the districts of Bohumín and Karviná. SmVaK will continue with the project in successive years and will continue to develop it. SmVaK’s i nspectors , authentic prescribers of tap water. More than 100 establishments in the Moravia-Silesia region in the Czech Republic have been awarded the “Tap Inspector” certificate. The project consists mainly of visits to restaurants. This year, tap inspectors have been visiting mainly the Frýdek-Místek, Havířov and Hlučín counties