How climate-friendly and social is Viva con Agua?

Back from the summer break, "ZDF Magazin Royale" satirist Jan Böhmermann deals with the issue of water shortages - and also criticizes the Hamburg social enterprise Viva con Agua.

"Europe is experiencing the worst drought in 500 years," says the latest program, which can be seen in the media library. "Unfortunately, the fact that we have too little water in Germany has not yet reached our German potato heads," says Böhmermann, while a tap is demonstratively running in the background. Germany has “a screwed up neurotic relationship” to its drinking water. "We only understand the importance of water when we can buy it in a nice glass bottle and have a compelling adventure story told about it."

Then he opens a soda bottle from the Hamburg company: "We millennials no longer want to rule the world with our German water, we just want to save it for a short time." Doctors Without Borders' to drink.” The program calculates that more CO₂ could be saved than all German air traffic causes if everyone in Germany simply drank tap water instead of mineral water.

"The fact that the people who fill the bottles with the water for Viva con Agua at the Husumer Mineralbrunnen company are neither paid according to collective agreements nor have a works council, that's 'water under the bridge'," Böhmermann continues. Being non-profit is "not so easy at all": "For this, Viva con Agua needs a waterproof network of a total of many lively social businesses".

He is alluding to the corporate network that the Hamburg-based company has built up in recent years with Goldeimer GmbH, which sells toilet paper, and Viva con Agua Arts gGmbH, which organizes art projects and exhibitions. In particular, the Villa Viva Gasthaus GmbH

In May, after a "Magazine Royale" program about the mask fraud by influencer Fynn Kliemann, Viva con Agua ended its collaboration with Kliemann on the grounds that the processes described were in stark contrast to the values ​​​​and ideas of the company, which was geared towards the common good.

Viva con Agua has now reacted to the taunts against its own business concept with a message on its own website. "Tap water in Germany is tested very well and meets high quality standards," it says there. “Both economically and ecologically, drinking water is the obvious way to go. We never tire of pointing this out in lectures, interviews, on our website or in our products.” One is probably “the only mineral water that advertises tap water”. But: "With the Viva con Agua mineral water you support our work." The production is certified as climate-neutral "via Climate Partner".

With regard to the working conditions at the Husum bottler, the announcement states that the wage level there is based on industry standards. A missing works council is “not per se for a bad corporate culture or lack of participation”. The management of the Husumer Mineralbrunnen has assured that the employees have not yet suggested a works council. "We assume that the formation of a works council at Husumer Mineralbrunnen GmbH is possible at any time, should employees so wish."

Regarding the prices of the new hotel building, it is also stated there that overnight stays on the “camping floor” can be booked for 19.10 euros. "Everyone is welcome at Villa Viva."