Since the start of the summer holidays, the Stadtwerke Gießen AG (SWG) water games have been running again on the grounds of the waterworks in Queckborn. Every day, up to 35 young athletes take on the challenge of consciously handling the number one foodstuff - drinking water. Children from the city and district of Giessen have registered for a total of 17 dates.
The boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12 travel by bus to the Queckborn waterworks and learn about the function of the Giessen municipal utility and the importance of drinking water for people with the help of a presentation and a short film. The children learn where the water that flows out of the tap in their homes comes from. The number one foodstuff that flows out of the taps in Giessen city centre comes 73 percent from the Queckborn waterworks. The children pantomime what everyone needs water for.
The aim of the municipal utilities is to use the pantomime game to illustrate the use of water to the youngest guests. After all, every Giessen citizen uses an average of around 105 litres of water a day. Most of this - 66 litres - is used for showering, bathing and using the toilet. In the household, only four litres are used for cooking and drinking.
After the most important information about drinking water, the Water Olympics start on the grounds of the waterworks. The participants complete three different disciplines. The "Save the fish" game is designed to sensitise the children to the issue of water pollution. The water cycle was illustrated by an obstacle course. In the water course, the kids transport water over various obstacles and make sure that not a drop is lost. So much exercise makes you hungry and thirsty - and the municipal utilities have taken good care of that too.
At the end of the water games, the participants receive a small gift. The water professionals can also take part in a competition. A digital camera, an iPod nano and a shopping voucher await the lucky winners. The competition question this year is: How much water is there on earth?