Obtaining water of excellent quality from the air that users can pour from the machine in their bottles, an innovative sound project integrating a population with reduced vision into responsible water resources management, an innovative approach to connecting users of water resources and competent state institutions and international organizations affects the reduction of damages caused by drought in sub-basins at local, state and cross-border levels, by adding water to Blockchain, upgrades existing standardized labelling approaches and enables a more precise identification of the geographical location of the water source and the quality of this at different hydrological situations.
These are some of exceptional innovations and projects that received International BWF Awards 2019.
Responsible water resources management requires investments in the digital transformation of waterworks companies, as artificial intelligence will in the future also play a role in water cyber security. Every Euro invested in the preparation for an extraordinary event is repaid more than ten times in comparison with the action during the event itself. At a time when cybernetic threats in our society are full spectrum, prevention is crucial. This has also been recognized by the EU and will be introducing a European program in 2020, dedicating approximately 1.5 billion Euros for cyber security.
Humko’s green walls address the need of urban centres for green areas. Planted plants on the walls clean the atmosphere, improve people’s well-being and return insects and birds to city centres. In order to solve the congestion of urban infrastructure, Archimedes Principal has developed software that tracks the travel habits of people through the application and rewards sustainable modes of transport (walking, cycling or public transport, etc.). They are currently actively working with the City of Ljubljana for the launch. Organic waste can be efficiently processed into a better and easier renewable synthetic fuel which was developed by KRMC.
It can be done! Examples of good practices prove it: in Aquatica, the only freshwater aquarium in Croatia there is more than 1000 fish species. It is both a tourist and educational institution. Due to receiving the BWF International Award in 2017, they became member of the UNESCO Global Network of Water Museums. Research confirmed that wooden frames for glasses have a smallest water footprint. That was recognized in the company Tishler, which produces frames for glasses made of Slovenian wood. 60% of glasses on the market are made of non-renewable materials, so it’s important not to buy glasses that are the best in the world, but the best for the world.
Water sommelier is a 21st century profession. Water sommelier recommends and sells water in restaurants and bars, cooperates and advises water producers and distributors, and educates the public on water.
Water tastings is made on three levels:
Photo: Haneul Kim, a certified water sommelier, led water tasting of 6 samples of both spring water and water from a water supply system from Slovenia, which were competing for the award.
As part of this year’s Bled Water Festival, which built the bridge between the shareholders for faster information exchange, more effective realisation and cooperation, representatives of the government and the economy signed an agreement to achieve the goal of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. The agreement is linked to Goal 6, which requires everyone to have access to water and sanitation, and to ensure sustainable water management, was signed by the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia, the company Pivovarna Laško Union, Petrol, Steklarna Hrastnik, Škocjan Caves Park, Tourism Bled and institute Bled Water Festival. Sustainable development is part of the policy of the signatory companies and is supported by relevant documents that provide identification and their operational implementation in business processes. The companies also raise employees’ awareness about this goal and encourage all the members in value chain and other private and public stakeholders to the realization of this goal, seeking joint solutions and cooperation with the aim of achieving the Goal 6 more effectively.
