Blue Mountains City Council will enter into a partnership with Sydney Water to install eight water bubbler and refill stations to make tap water more accessible in popular public places.
Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said, “The water refill stations will help reduce the environmental impact of drinking bottled water by decreasing litter and the number of plastic bottles going to landfill.
“Providing easy access to high quality tap water also gives adults and children a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.”
The pilot project will establish water refill stations at: Summerhayes Park, Winmalee; Lapstone Oval; Knapsack Park, Glenbrook; Glenbrook Park; Pitt Park, Wentworth Falls; Maple Grove, Katoomba; Wentworth Falls Lake and Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls.
The locations for the pilot project have been selected based on high community use and to represent a range of public places, including sports grounds, play areas and walking track heads.
Each water refill unit is multi-functional, serving as a bubbler, bottle refill station and dog bowl at the base; are a simple, robust construction; and wheelchair accessible.
The Aquafil unit is used in a number of Sydney locations, most notably in Manly where it continues to be used along both the Corso and beachfront.
“Access to water in public places make cities more liveable”, said the Cr Greenhill.
As part of the agreement with Sydney Water, Council becomes responsible for the installation, maintenance and water costs associated with the stations.
The council will monitor water use at each location and receive a report by mid-2019 identifying the costs and benefits from entering into the partnership, together with a review of future roll-out options.