WATER IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING

During a visit to the Czech Republic this Fall, I heard repeatedly: "in Central Europe, all things are possible." When it comes to drinking water, I certainly believe it. In point of fact, Czechs produce four different types of excellent drinking water.

First, of course is their fine tap water. In Prague there has been a water system serving Prague Castle dating back to the 14th Century. Wood pipes brought water from a nearby brook. Indeed, residents proudly point to water towers still standing like ancient sentinels guarding a bridge over the Vlatava river.

The first modern water system in Prague was built at the turn of the 20th Century. After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, many improvements were made. Prague Water Co. became part of the Veolia Water Group. Today, most of the City's water supply comes from a reservoir called Svihov, which is the largest in Central Europe. The raw water is treated a a facility some 65 kilometres south of Prague. The balance of the water supply is treated at a second facility which receives water from artesian wells and a river.

A second type of drinking water is the plethora of bottled water produced from springs and artesian wells in the country. In every restaurant, it seems, a waiter routinely will offer a choice of local "still" or "fizzy" bottled water. At meetings, conference tables will be cluttered with a variety of bottles of each kind.

A third type of drinking water is "spa water", a kind of water provided at such spa towns as Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). People come from all over the world to drink this special water for its medicinal properties. Doctors often prescribe spa time for their patients to take part in the purported curative effects of the experience. I have sampled this water; and frankly, it tastes awful and smacks of sulphur and hydrogen sulphide. One sips the water slowly from a cup that looks like an inverted tea kettle while walking through town; but, if smart, one never wanders very far from toilet facilities.

A fourth form of drinking "water" is the beer (pivo) for which Czechs are famous. Beer may be consumed at any hour of the day, and it is said that Czechs drink more beer per capita than in any other country. I can attest that it is that good! Once, to my wife's horror, I ordered a "gran pivo" at one of those tourist wet stations that line the Old Town Square. To my horror, the waiter brought a vessel the size of a hot water heater tank. I had to drink it all, to save face. However, as in the case of spa water, I quickly learned that if one should order a gran pivo, if smart, one also should not wander very far from toilet facilities.