The Tall Ships Races under the banner of water!

Hundreds of metres of temporary water supply system, thousands of couplers, new system connections, special water intake points for vessels, and new drinking fountains. It is only a part of preparatory works preceding the finale of The Tall Ships Races. ZWiK company's employees are already engaged in supporting other entities, also with actions from outside their area of competence, and are bound to be fully prepared for the event.

Water is the leitmotif of the event that will be held on both sides of the Oder river between 2 and 5 August. No sailing event could be organised without water, not only because our guest will arrive to us by the river and by the sea. The vessels, the organisers, city residents and tourists are not able to function without water.

“ZWiK is again committed to ensuring that this sailing festival is flawless. We are preparing to tackle the technical issues in advance,” said Celina Wołosz, Spokesperson for the Żegluga Szczecińska Turystyka Wydarzenia company. “We are checking our infrastructure and building the temporary one, as needed. All vessels that will moor in our city will have an uninterrupted access to drinking water.

For vessels at the Passenger Wharf and Starówka Wharf, and at the Piastowski and Gdyński Boulevards, the water will be supplied from the existing infrastructure.

In Wieleckie Wharf, we have built temporary infrastructure with a length of several hundred metres, with additional water intake points. A water cart will reach sail ships that will moor at Bułgarskie Wharf. In addition, we will help secure the stages by filling bulk containers.

“We will make sure that not only the crews and support staff but also our guests and tourists visiting the event venue stay hydrated,” added Ms Wołosz. “Six drinking fountains and special water curtains will be set at both sides of the Oder river, so that everyone can quench their thirst and cool down, if there's a heatwave.

Kilometres of pipes will distribute water for the crews on every vessel, and the residents will have a chance to drink some water in several locations. The drinking fountains will be located:

• at the Children's Zone near Adam Mickiewicz’s monument,
• on the top terrace of Chrobry Embankment, near the Maritime University building,
• near the junction of Nabrzeże Wieleckie and Komandorska Streets,
• right next to the ZWiK zone in Łasztownia, opposite the Cranosaurs,
• at the exit from the pontoon bridge,
• in the far end of Łasztownia, on Wielkiej Orkiestry Światecznej Pomocy Square.

The event service staff will be equipped with refillable water bottles, preventing us from the purchase of 7 thousand mineral water bottles. It is not only about taking eco-friendly actions, thanks to reducing the volume of plastic waste, but it is also about publicity and financial considerations.

“We are encouraging our residents to drink tap water, and we are setting an example ourselves by showing that refilling water is the best choice,” said Ms Wołosz.

We are also prepared for hot weather. Additional water curtains will be mounted in several places if the forecast indicates an upcoming heatwave. Emergency services and individual areas will be in standby. The personnel of sewage treatment plants and water supply plants will also be ready. All this to ensure that the entire event runs smoothly and safely in terms of water supply and sanitation.

Just to remind you that the finale of the regatta will take place in Szczecin between 2 and 5 August. In addition to sail ships, various attractions and entrainment zones are also an inherent part of the event. Between 2 and 5 August, the two banks of the Oder river will be full of options to spend you free time actively and creatively.

Join us, take you water bottles with you and don't be afraid to drink tap water.