A restored saturator (i.e. a machine that carbonates water) is making a big comeback onto the streets of Katowice after many years of absence. The device, which appears in a lot of archive pictures taken in the city, is now standing at Plac Szewczyka, next to Galeria Katowicka. It is one of just three saturators that are still in working order in Poland.

Slightly sparkling water from saturators used to be sold on its own or with raspberry or lemon juice. Now it is possible to try lemonade that comes in a variety of tastes – mint, raspberry, lime, grapefruit, watermelon-rhubarb, lavender and mojito mint.

Sparkling water is PLN 2; sparkling water with juice: PLN 2.5; lemonade: PLN 8. Special offers apply for Galeria Katowicka customers – each day the first 100 people to do shopping for at least PLN 50 and take a special stamp from the information desk (located next to the entrance at 3 Maja Street) will get sparkling water for free.

Saturators used to be extremely popular during the communist era. There were dozens of them in Katowice streets until the late 1980s. They used to stand next to Wyspiański Theater, at Korfantego Street, next to Spodek concert hall, at Plac Szewczyka and at 3 Maja Street, among others.

Adam Grabowski, the owner of the saturator for which Galeria Katowicka made some space at Plac Szewczyka available has also restored an SW-2 model dating back to 1972.

The saturator has already been used during two Industriada events which promote the Technical Landmarks Trail of the Silesian Province.