Hungary has joined the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) in 2013. National organizer of the SJWP is GWP Hungary Foundation in agreement with the Stockholm International Water Institute.
During the first year, students submitted nine entries in English from different parts of the country, focused on surface and drinking water, thermal water use, water in karst areas with local and global perspective.
Jury chaired by Professor László Somlyódy member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences screened all projects. Other members of the jury included leading experts of the Hungarian water sector. The jury selected six entries for the national final held on 1 June at Museum of Hungarian Agriculture in Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest. Finalists had to prepare A1 posters displaying results of their projects.
The jury selected three teams based on their projects and presentations, using the same criteria as for the upcoming international final in Stockholm. All finalists received diplomas and recognition on stage.
The winner is a team of three students of the Fényi Gyula Jesuit Secondary Grammar School in Miskolc - Dézi Kakas, János Béri and Péter Polák. Their project "The Importance of the Szinva Stream: Biological and Chemical-Physical Examinations", presented results of a local project started in 2010. The students have investigated water-quality of the Szinva Stream of Miskolc City in north-eastern Hungary, which is as a drinking-water source and supplies water to local industry.
Observations of the students provided reliable information on the status of the water. In addition, they suggested measures to local authorities in order to improve the water quality of the Szinva. Péter Kovács State Secretary for Water and the Patron of the Hungarian SJWP competition handed over the first prize to the winners.
The second place won "You are what you drink" project by Bettina Bíró, Lívia Kovács and Hajnalka Zámbó of Eötvös József Grammar School in Tata, a town in north-western Hungary. The authors made a review of tap water sources in Tata town. Their methodology comprised questionnaire evaluation focused on social and partly economy issues related to water consumption.
The project resulted in a solid and transparent graphical description and proposed healthier, environmentally friendly and efficient use of water. In addition, the students received a special grant of HUF 1 million (app. 3 350 EUR) to support follow up their interesting and useful project.
The third place went to Bence Cs. Szabó and Emese Huszár of Karcag, a town in central Hungary. Their project "An examination of the therapeutic effect of the medicinal thermal waters at Berekfürdő and its energy conscious utilization in a wellness hotel" presented various ways of thermal water use.
The winner team will represent Hungary in the international final that will take place during World Water Week on 1-6 September 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The following financial and professional partners supported the SJWP 2013 in Hungary: Water for Life Foundation, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary, GE Water & Process Technologies, Budapest Waterworks, Hungarian Wastewater Association, Public Utility Evaluation Cluster, Hauraton Hungary, Ministry of Rural Development, Hungarian Hydrological Society, Hungarian Water Utility Association, Budapest Zoo, Danube Museum, Ministry of Human Resources and Zsiráf Magazine.
Source/photo credits: GWP Hungary