Prague city councillors approved the sale of the former Vinohradská vodárna in Prague 10 to the municipal company Pražská vodohospodářská společnost (PVS) for almost CZK 81 million excluding VAT. The former waterworks will be used to create an innovative educational water centre, Hydropolis, which will serve the public with the aim of introducing the issue of water management and its importance for the city and society at large.

The sale will still have to be discussed by the Prague City Council. The Council of the Capital City of Prague will also have to approve the purchase of the waterworks. The Prague City Council also approved in another material an increase in the share capital of PVS by an amount corresponding to the purchase price of the properties.

The Hydropolis Water Education Centre is a long-term project in preparation, in which Prague Waterworks and Sewerage (PVK), Veolia and the Prague 10 municipality are also participating. Construction is expected to start this year and be completed in the second half of 2026. The total cost is estimated at approximately CZK 450 million excluding VAT, of which CZK 100 million will be provided by Veolia for the design, development and implementation of the exhibition section.

The centre will be built in the listed premises of the former Vinohrady Waterworks, which dates back to 1882. "The project includes the reconstruction of one of the two underground water tanks for the purposes of the exhibition part of the centre, while the other will be reconnected to the Prague drinking water supply system. In addition, the plan is to create a conference hall with a capacity of up to 150 seats for seminars and meetings on environmental, sustainability and other cultural and social opportunities, " says City Councillor K. Adam Zábranský, Prague's Minister for Property, Transparency and Legislation.

The focus is also on transforming the seven-storey historic water tower into an exhibition space focused on water management. On each floor, visitors will learn details about how water is created and how it affects the entire planet Earth. The exhibition will also include the use of virtual reality. The roof will then become a viewing point with a unique view of Prague. There will also be a refreshment area for future visitors and a public space with a variety of water features, benches and opportunities to relax.

The project is being prepared by PVS, with the architectural design prepared by CMC architects a.s. and the exhibition part designed and developed by JinJan s.r.o.