Implementation of the “Water is our common treasure” awareness-raising campaign

Debrecen faces many climate change effects such as droughts, heavy and periodic rainfalls, heat-island effects, and preserving green spaces. When there is heavy rain, streets are flooded because drainage stacks cannot dispose of increased water levels. Owners have to face damage to their properties, citizens cannot use the streets for transporting, use of public transportation is also difficult, and gardens will be flooded. Meanwhile, green fields in public areas are dried out in summer because of a lack of precipitate. Furthermore, urban stormwater and wastewater drainage systems are not always separate, but often combined. It’s important to minimize combined wastewater and stormwater systems in the city and raise awareness about rainwater retention. Local water company experts identified high-impact areas with illegal urban stormwater connections. As a result of this process, the implementation site where barrel distribution will take place is the southern part of the city. The project used a multi-sectoral approach. Municipality Green Area Department Eco-manager and Debrecen Waterworks company are also involved in regular meetings and discussions. EDC Debrecen Ltd. was the coordinator of the collaboration and was responsible for CSR implementation. Local businesses, political leaders, and representatives were involved in preparation and implementation. Citizens were the focus of awareness efforts and the beneficiaries of the practice.