This year's World Water Day (22 March 22) is marked by climate change. – In view of the current situation, the message that tap water is safe to consume is also important.

22. 3. 2020

Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning

World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March each year, stresses the importance of water and the awareness that 2.2 billion people do not have access to drinking water. In the current context of the coronavirus epidemic, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has informed public service providers that they should fully comply with all preventive health protocols in order to ensure the smooth running of the public drinking water supply service and the discharge and treatment of municipal wastewater. The National Institute of Public Health has declared that tap water is safe for consumption. Drinking water from the tap is also healthier and more environmentally friendly than water from a plastic bottle.

At the same time, users should also follow the notifications issued by the water supply system operator, since under certain/exceptional circumstances measures for restricting or prohibiting the use of tap water may be applied for at least a certain period of time. More information on the method of reporting.

The theme of this year’s World Water Day is the link between water and climate change. Climate change increases the variability of the water cycle, thus triggering extreme weather conditions, reducing the predictability of the availability of water resources, affecting water quality and undermining sustainable development and biodiversity worldwide. By adapting to the effects that climate change may have on water, we will protect health and save lives. National and local climate policy and planning should be designed to provide a holistic approach to climate change and water management. Increased water stress and satisfying requirements in the future will require increasingly difficult decisions regarding how to efficiently manage water resources from the point of view of several users, as well as regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. If we want to create a sustainable future, we can no longer do business as before, and water management will need to be carefully reviewed from the perspective of resilience to the consequences of climate change.

Water can help combat climate change:

wetlands absorb carbon dioxide from the air;
flora protects against flooding and erosion;
rainwater can be collected for periods of drought;
wastewater can be reused.

More information on World Water Day (in English)