Pražské vodovody a kanalizace (PVK) carries out continuous microbiological and chemical analyses of drinking water in the capital. The company is headed by Petr Mrkos.[1][2]

Central laboratories in Podolí

The new central laboratories were built in the grounds of the waterworks in Podolí in Prague and were put into operation in October 2026. The cost was almost CZK 152 million.[1][2] They were previously housed in a rented building in Dykova Street, where the lease expired. Other workplaces were located at several other sites; in Podolí they are now all in one place.[1][2]

Each year the laboratories process more than 50,000 samples and perform almost 800,000 analyses of individual monitored parameters.[1][2] They combine proven methods with the most modern ones; for example, they have an instrument using artificial intelligence for faster and more accurate microbiological analyses. According to Mrkos, results are available within hours rather than days.[1][2]

Podolí water treatment plant

The Podolí water treatment plant, unlike in the past when it served as a backup source, now operates continuously and supplies about a tenth of Prague's drinking water. This was made possible by the introduction of a third stage of treatment with activated carbon.[1][2] Pavel Válek, director of Pražská vodohospodářská společnost, said that a further increase in the plant's capacity is planned in case the remaining two sources, Želivka and Káraný, fail. Next year the company is also to commission project documentation for a mined tunnel from Podolí to the water reservoir at Flora; according to Válek, its construction would cost two to three billion crowns.[1][2]

Chronology

  • — New central laboratories of Pražské vodovody a kanalizace for drinking water analyses, bringing together workplaces that were previously scattered, were put into operation in the grounds of the waterworks in Podolí in Prague; the cost was almost CZK 152 million. → Pražský deník iDNES.cz, Praha

Pages linking here

Sources

  1. Pražský deník — 6 October 2026
  2. iDNES.cz, Praha — 6 October 2026