Carolina Patrocínio and Gonçalo Uva are the initiative’s ambassadors and join EPAL in promoting Environmental sustainability 
Up until 9th September, Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon will host the Pátio da Água, an EPAL initiative developed in partnership with Lisbon City Council and Lisbon E-Nova, which raises awareness of the quality of tap water and its consumption and the safeguarding of this scarce resource, essential for life on the planet. Entry is free.
After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pátio da Água is back in Lisbon. Its reinauguration took place late afternoon on Tuesday and was attended by Carolina Patrocínio and Gonçalo Uva, ambassadors of the initiative, and Catarina Barreiros, digital influencer, founder & CEO of the Do-Zero project, recognised for her dedication to the cause of environmental protection.
Carolina Patrocínio invites everyone to visit Pátio da Água and drink tap water. “Pátio da Água is a fun and pleasant concept: take a short break and here, on the Avenida, go inside and try a glass of water. We must encourage people, including the younger generations, to get used to consuming tap water. Tap water is extremely good, I've been in the habit of drinking it since I was a little girl. It was always instilled in me to drink tap water, not only in Lisbon, but throughout the country, whether in the Algarve or Alentejo, I always make a point of drinking tap water. It is a habit that I have also passed on to my children”, says Carolina Patrocínio.
Gonçalo Uva emphasises the importance of drinking tap water for health and physical exercise. “As the athlete that I was, and that I still am in my spare time, water, especially tap water, is always part of my training. I sincerely believe that tap water, which is tested and approved, has good qualities and helps to create antibodies essential for our health and especially for children’s health. I am completely in favour of drinking tap water, and having this Pátio da Água gives Lisbon’s residents and visitors the opportunity to stop by, drink a glass of water and enjoy our city”.
For Catarina Barreiros, the sustainable way to drink water is from the tap, as it does not require to be transported and is subject to thousands of analyses that prove its quality and safety for health. The influencer considers Pátio da Água to be “an opportunity for people to realise that drinking tap water is not difficult and that there are fun and creative ways to drink water. These initiatives are great for inviting the population to try it out and see how good it actually is, in order to change, even a little, the mentality and prejudice we have in relation to tap water.
The Pátio da Água retains the initial purpose of its creation: the spreading of a message of environmental sustainability, through the promotion and awareness of the quality and consumption of tap water, inviting those who pass by Avenida da Liberdade to drink a glass of water, plain or flavoured with fruits and herbs, in a pleasant, comfortable environment and completely free of charge.
As in previous years, Pátio da Água is 100% sustainable. All organic waste generated (fruit, herbs, among others) will be sent directly for composting and all other waste will be disposed of appropriately. The big news this year is the partnership with the Santini ice cream brand. Happy hours are planned every Monday and Friday, between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm, for ice lollies, made, of course, with tap water.
Pátio da Água is located at Avenida da Liberdade no.14 and is open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm.