The «House of Water», which has been operating for eight years in Patras, is a unique venue for Greek standards and aims to promote sustainable water management and conservation, through information, education, events and new advisory services aimed at citizens of all ages, as well as professionals related to water management.
According to the environmentalist Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, «the ‘House of Water’ was created in 2014 by the municipality of Patreon and ADEP S.A., in the framework of the project “Water Saving for the Development” of the cross-border programme Greece - Italy 2007-2013, while since 2017 it is under the management of the Directorate of Environment, Energy and Greenery of the municipality of Patreon».
At the same time, as he points out, «there is no other similar information centre in our country for the sustainable management and saving of water», explaining that «there are only water museums, where historical data on the water of a city, old water supply equipment, etc.»
Regarding the attendance of the centre, Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos tells APE-MPE that «in the eight years of its operation, more than 40,000 people have been informed and trained, given, as he adds, that due to COVID-19, protective measures were taken».
The «House of Water» is located in the southern part of the Castle of Patras and is a stone-built, elongated building of the early 20th century, with a total area of 120 m², which is part of the complex of the old stone water tank of the city, with neoclassical elements.
The information and education programme, as Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos says, «has been designed by the Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre of the Goulandris Natural History Museum.
During the tour - education, the visitor has the opportunity to watch a video - multiscreen on the role of water in life on the planet, as well as three thematic videos, one on wetlands and life in them, the second on the water monuments of Patras and the third on the use of water during the historical periods in Greek history.
In addition, students have the opportunity to watch, depending on their age, a rich audiovisual material of educational videos on the water cycle, pollution and water saving in their daily lives.
At the same time, on the surface of all the walls inside the «House of Water», there are exhibit surfaces that detail important facts about water.
Also, according to Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, «children are encouraged to participate in original group movement games in order to combine play with learning». Thus, through the games, they investigate and discover through experiments, understand and interpret the problems related to water at a global level and are activated through experiential activities that contribute to the adoption of good behaviour in everyday life.
In fact, in order to enhance the educational process, aiming to promote knowledge in a pleasant and creative way, games such as crosswords, crypto puzzles, activities of proverbial expressions, a snake floor, fairy tales, construction experiments, etc.
Also, all visitors to the «Water House» are provided with informative - educational material in the form of leaflets, activity forms and instructions on water saving, as well as a water pressure regulator, which can be installed on common household taps to save water consumption.
Referring to the objectives that were initially set with the operation of the «House of Water», Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, tells APE - MPE that «they are largely achieved» and explains: «Firstly, we can see this from the great acceptance and visitor numbers that the centre has. In its eight years of operation, more than 40,000 people have visited the centre, mainly pupils and students from Patras, but also from other regions of the country, through educational excursions, as well as from foreign countries. The centre is also visited by members of ecological groups, environmental associations and members of local associations.
Secondly, by working with DEYAP and sending information leaflets through the bills, we have been found to help reduce water wastage.».
Furthermore, it states that «we inform visitors about the high quality of Patras» water supply water, both from the water supply sources and through the procedures of its transfer from the modern networks to the homes of consumers".
Regarding the planning of new activities, Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos tells APE-MPA that «we are constantly trying to enrich our activities so that the centre becomes even more attractive.»
«Already», he continues, «we are updating the educational material, while in the next four months we will produce worksheets, where children will have the opportunity to become more aware of the issues of water saving and proper water management». He also added that «through the Internet, pupils will be able to carry out actions to save water».
It should be noted that the educational team of the «House of Water» includes, together with the environmentalist Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, the geologist Vasiliki Baoustanou, the environmentalist Eleni Trombukis and the environmentalist - cartographer Myrsini Zourou.
Meanwhile, as part of the celebration of the World Environment Day, the Department of Environment, Energy and Greenery of the municipality of Patreon is organizing on Monday, June 6 from 5.30 in the afternoon until 9.00 in the evening at the South Park an outdoor exhibition and experiential environmental workshop to promote the environmental actions of the municipality of Patreon and raise awareness among citizens.
The event includes information activities on material recycling, the protection of the Panachai Mountains, biodiversity, water and energy saving and climate change.
