“Communicating water quality challenges and opportunities” was the slogan of the World Water Day 2010. Due to the UN-resolution of 1993 on 22th. March the world water day takes place every year. The theme of World Water Day 2010 is to raise the awareness for water quality. The world water day 2010 in Graz approaches this topic by science, sports and culture.

The highlights this year were: the sewer-course, two guided tours through Graz, to discover a lot of new things about the valuable source of water and a “Water-Walk”, as well as the evening meeting with the award "Wasserland Steiermark Preis 2010”.

As every year a 9, 8 km long running course was organised passing through the sewer system under the city, which was joined by many enthusiastic athletes. The track followed the river Mur, starting from the water works through the Schlossbergstollen until the finishing line at the Karmeliterplatz. Nordic walkers were cordially welcome.

The first station of the guided water tour was the Leonhardbach, which represents the only example of a biogenous channel regulation in Graz. Despite light water from above - it rained suitably to the world water day - the interest was lively to experience everything about the Grazbach. Then further on to the 1939 established pumping station at the Ruckerlberg, here the technology of the water supply and also the work of the well-known Austrian artist Rudolf Szyskowitz could be admired. After the visit of the water reservoir Waltendorferhöhe we went then finally into the Grazer underworld - the sewer. That was not only for the smallest participants the highlight of the water trip of this year

The “Water-Walk” was an amusing tour in the old part of town on the left side of the Mur. Many interesting things were to be experienced by our well-informed guide over the “liquid” history of the city. From the Karmeliterplatz we went along a number of interesting fountains down to the riverside of the Mur, in order to land finally on the main place, with the monumental Erzherzog -Johann-Fountain.

The evening event that took place in the auditorium of the old university was framed with music form “Folksmilch”. One of the highlights’ was the award ceremony of the “Wasserland Steiermark Preis 2010”, an award designed to bring forward new ideas about water. Everybody was delighted to finish the evening enjoying the traditional fish soup with a glass of cold beer or simply water.

Contact: Elfriede Stranzl

Contact: Elfriede Stranzl