Category: Water fountains

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WATER REFILL IN INDIA

Drinking tap water in India is not recommended in most areas. Luckily, refill stations are widespread in the subcontinent. Bring your bottle and start refilling! In this blog we explain how.

1. WATER REFILL IN INDIA WITH FILTER SYSTEMS

Refilling purified and cool drinks for 5 rupies per liter
When the train stops, you can run in and out for a water refill

At some squares, stations and other public places you can refill your own water bottle directly at a machine. This will cost around 5 rupies per liter. Many hotels and museums also offer free filtered water. If they don’t have it on display just ask for it.

2. FREE WATER FOUNTAINS

At many places you will find public drinking fountains with signs indicating ‘drinking water’. We did not test this water in a lab, but we did not get sick of it either. This water is always free of charge and you will see many Indians drinking from them.

Typical drinking water tap at a train station
Many people will use the same metal cup, so it’s smart to bring your own (cup or bottle)

3. ORDINARY TAP WATER

When traveling to any country where tap water is not potable, we recommend to bring a filter bottle, steripen or other filter. We are traveling in India with the Water-To-Go bottle. This enables you to refill at almost any tap and drink unfiltered water from restaurants. Then you never have to worry about buying plastic bottles.

WATER REFILL IN INDIA

You may wonder if refilling is really necessary when you only travel a couple of weeks or months in India. Packaged bottled water is widely available and cheap (around € 0,20 per liter). And you don’t want to get sick because of contaminated water. But as a traveler, we feel you have a shared responsibility for your waste.

Many places lack a functioning waste management system, plastic waste is everywhere and many items end up burned instead of recycled.

So please:

  • Put in some extra effort for your water refills, while still using your head to assess the risks (e.g. does it look clean & trustworthy).
  • Don’t open free single use water bottles in hotels, trains, etc.
  • When ordering drinks, ask to serve it without a straw.
  • Water refills are only the first step. You may also want to bring or buy boxes for food parcels and a reusable cup for chai.

MORE REFILL IN INDIA TIPS

If you have more tips on how to refill in India, please leave your comment below. We would love to hear your thoughts.

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WHERE ARE THE MOST PUBLIC FOUNTAINS?

Even though it’s raining in most parts of Europe, it is crucial to stay hydrated, particularly when exploring new cities during our travels. However, finding a refreshing sip of water without breaking the bank can be quite challenging in certain places, as highlighted by this study. Using data from OpenStreetMap, it reveals the number of public water fountains per 100K in every country and city in the world. We’re excited to share today’s guest blog by Touseef Hussain, Marketing & Communications Officer at QS Supplies. Be prepared for cool infographics!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS

Public water fountains hold significant importance for the health and well-being of communities. These fountains provide easy access to clean drinking water, preventing dehydration in public spaces. Additionally, they offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to purchasing bottled beverages, reducing plastic waste and our environmental impact.

Maintained properly and equipped with filtered water, these fountains also play a crucial role in minimising the risk of waterborne illnesses, contributing to a healthier and more hygienic public environment.

COUNTRIES WITH HIGH AND LOW NUMBERS OF DRINKING FOUNTAINS

If you are in Montenegro, you need not worry about staying hydrated. This Balkan state takes the crown for having the highest number of water fountains per person in the world. It boasts 472.4 drinking fountains per 100,000 people.

The abundance of public watering holes is a big plus for tourists visiting the country’s scenic destinations, especially during the scorching summer days. Temperatures can reach up to 40°C in inland regions like Podgorica.

Nigeria and Fiji face challenges in providing public water fountains. Nigeria registers an alarmingly low number of 0.01 drinking fountains per 100,000 people. Fiji has no recorded public water fountains.

GLOBAL CITIES WITH PLENTY OF PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS

Switzerland, known for its focus on public utilities and expert urban planning, leads the list of cities with the most water fountains. Zurich and Basel, with 221 and 177 fountains per 100,000 people respectively, secure the top spots. Geneva also makes an appearance in the top 10, with 86.22 water fountains per 100K people.

list of cities with most public drinking fountains

PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS IN THE UK

So what about the UK? For travellers in Bournemouth, located on the south coast of England, staying hydrated is easy thanks to the city’s high proportion of public water fountains in the UK

Leeds lags way behind; it has less than one fountain per 100,000 people in the city.

UK cities list of drinking water fountains

PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS IN THE USA

Oregon emerges as the US state with the highest number of water fountains per 100,000 people. It has 14.77 water fountains per 100k people in the USA, while Tennessee has the fewest (just 0.21).

Moving to the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, boasts an impressive 24.83 water fountains per 100,000 people. That’s the highest figure from any US city.

Las Vegas presents a rather disheartening scenario. With only 0.62 water fountains per 100,000 people, it’s the US city with the lowest supply of free sources for drinking water.

And it’s something that annoys the tourists. Sin City often charges exorbitant prices for basic necessities like water. In some establishments, you’ll have to pay as much as $12 for a bottle. A bottle from a Starbucks on the Las Vegas Strip is $5.

ABOUT OUR GUEST BLOGGER

This is a guest blog by Touseef Hussain, Marketing & Communications Officer at QS Supplies, one of the UK’s largest independent bathroom wholesalers and retailers. They have been in business in Leicester since 1990. The team also shares original research studies on various relevant topics.

We like to give a big thanks to Touseef. Some of our own experiences match with the findings in his study, like Refill Paradise Switzerland. Brazil on the other hand scores really low, something that RefilMe Brasil is trying to change. We need more people advocating for public drinking fountains.

Do you want to become a guest writer for our platform? Please read our guidelines.

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SWITZERLAND: REFILL PARADISE

If there is one country in the world where you really want to refill your bottle it is Switzerland. Switzerland may be expensive, but the public fountains are free. And there are thousands of them! The water tastes delicious, while some fountains have an incredibly beautiful design. Needless to say, this is a true refill paradise. In this blog I share some Swiss public fountains and practical tips.

PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS IN SWITZERLAND

GOOD TO KNOW

  • In the winter months, many drinking fountains stop operating.
  • Swiss airports are not (yet) very generous with water refill stations.
  • There are also fountains with non-potable water, but don’t worry. These fountains have a clear sign.
  • Even though there are many refill stations, bring sufficient water when going on a hike.
  • Besides public fountains, Switzerland has many free, clean public toilets.  

HOW TO FIND PUBLIC FOUNTAINS IN SWITZERLAND?

Like I said, there are really a lot of fountains, both in cities and in the countryside. If you cannot find a public fountain, you can use the free Refill app. The app shows a global network of places to reduce, reuse and refill (in public and private space).

Some municipalities also have their own maps. For example in Zurich you can also this fountain map. Here is the map for Lucerne. However, you are most likely to spot the next fountain before your bottle is empty.

FROM REFILLING YOUR BOTTLE TO ZERO WASTE

For many people refilling your water bottle is the first step in reducing single-use plastics. But you can do much more. Bring your reusable cup, box, cutlery when on the go. Say no to the (bamboo) straw. Here are some useful guides.

Refill Swiss has started to add refill stations, starting with refilling water bottles. They will expand to include Coffee on the go, and shopping with less plastic. We also recommend to check out the Zero Waste Switzerland event calendar.

WHAT IS YOUR REFILL PARADISE?

What is your favourite refill country or area? Looking forward to hear from you.

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ECO-FRIENDLY TIPS ON THE GO: HOW TO STAY HYDRATED WHILE TRAVELING

Staying hydrated when traveling should be a priority for many reasons. First, dehydration can worsen jet lag symptoms, such as fatigue and headaches. Drinking water before, during, and after your a long ride or flight can help combat jet lag and make the transition to a new time zone easier. In addition, proper hydration supports your immune system, making you less susceptible to illness. When you’re traveling, you’re exposed to new environments, different foods, and potential disease-causing germs and viruses. Drinking water can help keep your immune system strong and reduce your risk of getting sick.

Two women sitting at a sunny beach
Image source: Pexels.com

If you’re passionate about sustainability, green home cleaning, achieving a zero-waste lifestyle, and other ways to save the environment, this one’s for you, too. One of the best ways to ensure you stay hydrated and have access to clean drinking water while traveling is to bring a reusable water bottle wherever you go. Aside from guaranteeing you’re well-hydrated throughout your trip, it also helps you stay eco-friendly by steering clear from one-time-use plastic bottled water, notoriously known as one of the leading culprits of plastic pollution worldwide.

Bringing your own tumbler to refill helps you become more sustainable. However, refilling while on the go can sometimes be challenging. In this article, I* share some practical and eco-friendly tips that can help you.

RESEARCH WATER SOURCES BEFOREHAND

Before embarking on your journey, go online and check out the availability, safety, and access to drinking water at your destination. You can do this by checking travel forums or government websites for information on whether tap water is safe to drink. This will help you determine if you need to bring a water filter or purification tablets.

BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH A FILTER

A water bottle with a built-in filter can be a lifesaver when traveling because it’s designed to filter out bacteria and other contaminants from tap water, making it safe to drink. Make sure to choose a bottle with a high-quality filter and replace it regularly.

MAN SITTING IN MOUNTAINS
Image source: Pexels.com

USE A WATER FOUNTAIN

Many public places, such as airports and parks, have water fountains available for public use. These fountains can be a great source of clean drinking water, and they are often located in convenient areas. Just make sure to clean the spout before filling up your bottle to avoid contamination.

ASK LOCALS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

If you’re in doubt about the safety of tap water in a particular area, it’s always a good idea to ask the locals or fellow travelers who have already spent time there. They may know of safe sources of drinking water, such as natural springs or water wells. Just be sure to triple-check before drinking it.

Man drinking water in a city
Image source: Pexels.com

NEVER BUY SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

While it may be tempting to buy plastic water bottles while traveling, it’s important to remember that they harm the environment, mainly marine life, when they end up in our oceans. If you didn’t bring your tumbler on a particular trip, buy a reusable water bottle in the nearest mall or grocery store and refill it as needed. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll also save money in the long run.

GOT OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL TIPS? LET’S HEAR THEM!

How about you? How do you stay well-hydrated and plastic-free during your travels? Please share them with us in the comment section below.

*About the Author:

This article is written by a lovely guest blogger! Jade Piper is a writer and mother based in Indianapolis. She is a keen environmentalist and in her spare time enjoys gardening, reading, and listening to music.

All our guest bloggers contribute voluntarily and without commissions.

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FIND A WATER TAP ON GOOGLE MAPS

Good news for refill lovers in the Netherlands: you can now use Google Maps to find the nearest public water tap! For example at train stations, squares or in a national park. Just search for ‘water tap’ on Google Maps. Almost 2.000 water taps are already in the system, thanks to Dopper.

These water fountains pop up when you search for ‘water tap’ in Utrecht

GOOGLE MAPS VS. SPECIALIZED WATER REFILL APPS

Even though we are not the biggest fan of Google, we are happy with this new development. Fact is that Google Maps is the most used navigation platform in the Netherlands. So we hope more people will find their way to a water tap.

In 2018 we wrote a blog about different refill apps, and the need for a global system. For example The Netherlands may be a small country, but there are different refill apps/platforms (Drinkwaterkaart, Publiek Water, etc.). Some apps like Refill and mymizu cover multiple countries and also include refill stations in private places, such as bars and restaurants. We support the organisations behind these refill apps to continue their hard work. Because they raise awareness and save single-use bottles!

refill apps
Several refill apps, used to find refill stations

However, the problem is that these apps are less well-known. Plus people are used to one navigation app (Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc). This is the main reason that we as Refill Ambassadors did not create our own app.

NEXT STEP: EUROPE

Back to our main topic: using Google Maps to find public water taps. The refill points are currently only mapped for the Netherlands. Dopper wants to roll it out across the whole of Europe. And hopefully it will become available worldwide soon. But for now: check the overview of other refill platforms to find refill stations in other countries.

Happy refilling!

Awareness campaign by Dopper
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CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN ITALY?

Yes, tap water in Italy is save to drink. Italy ranks fifth in Europe for tap water quality [1]. All tap water in Italy is chlorinated with the minimum required level being 0.2 mg / liter [2], or in exceptional cases there will be a non potable sign. In this blog we explain more about tap water in Italy.

ITALIAN MINERAL WATER IS SOLD AROUND THE WORLD

Italy is renowned for its many famous mineral waters. However, this has resulted in the rise of water brands. For example San Pellegrino or San Benedetto. Thanks to advertisements, the export of bottled Italian mineral water has increased over the past decade [3]. Main export markets are the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and France. Pretty crazy to transport water all over the world, right?!

Examples of Pellegrino’s marketing (Source: pellegrino.com)

MINERAL WATER IN ITALY

Italians are used to buy six-packs of 1.5 litre plastic bottles of water from the supermarket. Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera! Some public areas have paid refill stations, that serve filtered tap water for 5 to 10 eurocents.

Fresh mineral water in small villages

TAP WATER IN ITALY – BARS & RESTAURANTS

Bars and restaurants most likely serve bottled water. We recommend you to just try and ask tap water. No one usually does and your waiter might not want to bring it to you, but you can ask for it. [4]. Luckily, some restaurants already serve chilled, filtered tap water (for free or for a small fee). Moreover, Refill Italia tries to map all these refill stations, by adding them to the free Refill app. You can also add yours!

Filtered tap water machine in Amico bio (Un Sonrise Integrale), Napoli

TAP WATER IN ITALY – USEFUL LINKS

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TAP WATER IN VALENCIA

Can I drink the tap water in Valencia? Yes, you can. The tap water in Valencia may have a strange taste but it is perfectly safe to drink.

WHY DOES TAP WATER IN VALENCIA TASTES STRANGE?

The water in Valencia is a hard water, due to the amount of calcium and salt, that find their way into the supply from the mountains. Furthermore, the tap water is filtered and chlorinated. Chlorine, a very common disinfectant, is used frequently in water treatment plants in Spain. And it makes water taste and smell differently.

WHAT ARE MY ALTERNATIVES?

You can just drink the tap water if you’re not bothered by the taste! If you do not like the taste of the tap water, there are a few options.

  1. Many locals and tourists buy bottles water. It’s expensive and causes lots of plastic waste! Not the preferred option…
  2.  Look for filtered, refigerated water fountains. Now there are only three of them, located in the city’s busiest spots: the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, on the Malva-Rosa seafront, and in the City of Arts and Sciences, in the Turia. Hopefully more of these fountains will be installed soon.
  3. Use a water filter. This can be a simple jar; a filter connected to your valve; or something installed to your household’s water system. Carbon filters (e.g. Brita, Tapp Water) are quite cheap and very efficient at reducing or eliminating chlorine.
  4. Our favourite: go to one the many natural springs in the mountains. Many villages in the hills around Valencia have one. Bring as many empty jars as you can and sit down for a meditative refill session!

water refill Valencia mountains

We’d like to share some background information about these natural springs. The so called ‘aguaderos’ collected the water from the springs, filled the carts with pitchers and went down to the city and the villages to distribute it from door to door.  The trade of aguadero was perpetuated until recent times, when cars were replaced by trucks or vans. However, many ancient water fountains still exist in the mountain villages around Valencia (and in many other areas in Spain) and the water tastes delicious.

TAP WATER IN VALENCIA – YOUR OPINION

What do you think about the taste of tap water in Valencia? How does it compare to your home country? Leave us a comment below.

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REFILME: BRAZIL’S 1st WATER REFILL APP

Good news for Brazil: the first water refill initiative has started! RefilMe provides free, cold and filtered tap water. After seeing lots of plastic on beaches while traveling, sisters Flávia and Isabela wanted to make a change in their own country Brazil and they founded RefilMe. Read this blog to learn more about this project and their approach.

INTERVIEW WITH FLÁVIA VITOI ROSA DE SOUZA, CO-FOUNDER OF REFILME (IN BRAZIL)

What is RefilMe?

F: RefilMe is a new start up aiming to reduce plastic waste in Brazil. We do this by offering free, cold water refills and by creating awareness.

refilme water machine
RefilMe water refill machine (source: RefilMe)

Free, cold and filtered water, amazing! Especially when you think about the hot weather in Brazil. Why, where and when did you started RefilMe?

F: The idea started while we were traveling in Bali, Indonesia. There was a lot of plastic on the beach. We could not drink the tap water and had to buy plastic bottles or look for refill stations. We wanted to do something similar in Brazil. We started in the city of Cuiabá and Vitória in December of 2020.  We designed the machine and the app and website ourselves. The first machine was placed in Cuiabá in December ’20. Right now we are also present in 3 other cities. And we want to spread more in Brazil.

THE REFILME FREE WATER REFILL MACHINE

How do people respond so far?

F: So far so good! Users are happy because it is free and the water is cold. In one park we had to temporarily remove the machine and several people are asking when it’s coming back.

Let’s hope it will be back soon. How do consumers know where the machines are located?

F: All machines are mapped on the Refil Me app. The app is available in Brazil for iOS and Android.

RefilMe app mobile phone interface
Using the RefilMe app to locate refill stations (source: RefilMe)

LEARNING BY DOING

Sweet! So you are Brazil’s 1st refill app?!

F: Yes, we think so. We do not know about another one.

Great to have you on board of the #Refillution! And cool that you did all this work so far. You seem to be designers, activists and business women altogether. What is your professional background?

F: Haha, thank you. I am a chemical engineer with a master in sustainable development. My sister Isabela is a process engineer. And we developed new skills during the past year.

Image RefilMeteam Isabela and Flavia
The RefilMe founders: Isabela and Flávia (source: RefilMe)

THE REFILME BUSINESS MODEL

We are curious about your business model. The water is free but the machines are not. How does it work?

F We have a partnership with a start-up accelerator. And we work with sponsors, for example private water treatment companies or a shopping mall. The sponsor pays for the water machine. We give them advice where to place them.

TAP WATER IN BRAZIL

Interesting business model, maybe suitable for many refill initiatives all over the world. Another question. The machines chill and filter ‘normal’ water. Can you drink tap water in Brazil?

F: Yes, tap water in Brazil is potable in most places. The normal tap water has a bit of a chlorine taste. Our machines use a carbon filter to remove this flavour.

Good to know! Are there any public fountains in Brazil? 

F: Yes they exist. But the water can be warm and some fountains are not maintained well. And now with Covid people trust them even less.

Do you also face difficulties due to the situation with Covid?

F: Well, it is challenging because the lockdown rules change all the time. Luckily our machines are touchless. You just need to use the RefilMe app.

Even more reasons to enjoy the RefilMe cold water. Good luck Flávia and Isabela and enjoy the adventures ahead!

Example of free water refill machine
Easy to spot this machine! (Source: RefilMe)

FOLLOW REFILME BRASIL

What a nice and inspiring conversation we had. It feels Isabela and Flávia take care of all parties involved, starting from the user that is looking for free, cold water. While also taking into account the sponsors’ needs. If you have tips for RefilMe or want to collaborate, don’t hesitate and get in touch with the sisters.

Follow RefilMe on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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TAP WATER AT CAMINO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Is Santiago de Compostela tap water safe to drink? Yes, it’s very safe! Last month, I walked a part of the Camino del Norte (the northern Spain coastal route). We were amazed by the beautiful scenery, but also by the large number of refill stations. And the taste of tap water was quite good. However, some water fountains were out of order and we got a bit thirsty! In addition, many hostels were closed due to Covid-19 (for the entire year). Therefore we’d like to share some tips with you.

TIPS TO STAY HYDRATED

  • How much water should you bring? Take enough water with you on your walks but don’t overdo it. It’s just too heavy! We took 1 L per person. This was enough with the exception of two stages (day 4: from Deba to Markina–Xemein; and day 5: from Markina-Xemein to Guernika). So bring a bit more on remote routes.
  • Pay attention that water fountains are suitable for consumption. “No potable” indicates that you cannot drink the water.
  • Very important: frequently drink small amounts to stay well hydrated.
  • Make sure your drinking equipment is easy to clean.
  • Bring a lightweight thermos flask. Cold water is a big reward when walking 8 hours a day.  
  • Make sure you know roughly where you will be able to refill. Many public fountains are listed on the water refill app Closca. You can also ask the friendly locals for help. ‘Where can I refill my water bottle?’ = Non bete dezaket ur botila (in Basque) / ¿Dónde puedo rellenar mi botella de agua? (in Spanish)
Locating refill stations (mainly public fountains) in Spain with the Closca app

Note: we walked the northern coastal route (from Irun to Güemes). We brought our own tent and camping equipment. This came in handy as many hostels were closed due to Covid-19. We heard from other pilgrims that facilities on the Camino Francés are generally better (including food, lodging and water fountains), but we do not know about possible changes due to Covid-19.

ABOUT THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO / WAY OF ST. JAMES

Each year thousands of pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago (also known as Way of St. James). This route is a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain.

Network of pilgrim’s ways – Source: Wikipedia
  • The Camino Francés (870 km) is by far the most popular route. It starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) and passes Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León. Hostels or monasteries are located about every four to ten kilometres.
  • The Camino Portugués is the second most popular way. The route starts in Lisbon or Porto. From Porto there are two options: the Camino Central (241 km) and the Camino Costal (265 km).
  • The Camino del Norte (the one we did) is an 817 km coastal route from Irun (Basque country) along the northern coastline of Spain. The route passes through San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander and Oviedo. It is less crowded and the hikes can be challenging. Hostels are 20 to 35 kilometres apart.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

Do you have tips for other pilgrims? How much water should they take? What other gear do they need to bring? And which hostels are closed due to Covid-19? Please share your tips.

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BEST PRACTICES: ZERO WASTE SOFIA

Restoring the public fountains in Bulgaria. That’s one of the main goals of Zero Waste Sofia. Their founder, corporate communications professional Simona Stiliyanova wants to create a movement and help everyone in Bulgaria to reduce their waste, from packaging to wardrobe. And she pays special attention to public fountains. We were really curious about this initiative, so we picked up the phone. 

INTERVIEW WITH SIMONA STILIYANOVA (S)

Why did you start Zero Waste Sofia?

S: Adopting a ‘zero waste lifestyle’ is something many of us dream about, but struggle to actually do it. Where do you even start? I managed to reduce my waste by about 60% and I wanted to document my successful and unsuccessful attempts to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, and that’s how Zero Waste Sofia was born. I want to show that living a little more “green” does not necessarily mean mixing up recipes with 400 exotic ingredients all day long. On the contrary – by implementing various small changes you can simplify your life and even save money and earn more time for yourself and your loved ones.

Can you tell us more about the specific ‘fountain project’?

S: Fountains of Bulgaria enables active people to stop using disposable plastic bottles and save money by giving them a map of all sources of free tap water near them. I am working to embed information about its quality, feedback for broken fountains and other initiatives too.

CAN YOU DRINK TAP WATER IN BULGARIA?

So we assume, tap water in Bulgaria is potable?

S: Yes, we are fortunate to live close to thousands of free sources of high quality drinking water. In Bulgaria, there is an old tradition for people to build drinking fountains. As a result of it, there are nearly 7,000 of them all over the country. However, nowadays our modern society is rapidly adopting the “throwaway” culture, putting the tradition on the shelf and sending nearly 5 million disposable plastic bottles to the landfill every day.

 I conducted a national research among 600 respondents, and found out why people use or do not use public fountains. The 3 main reasons for not using them were:

  • 89,4% of all interviewees consider that they do not have enough information about the quality of water
  • 64% do not use public fountains, because they are broken or dirty.
  • 54% do not know where to find them

That’s why I decided to go further in addition to the mapping. I partner with local civic organizations, contact municipalities to report broken fountains and encourage my readers to do so. And together with some other volunteers, we started to clean the fountains ourselves.

Oh yes, we read about that on Zero Waste Sofia. On September 14th, you joined with the “Let’s clean Bulgaria together” event. Can you tell us more about this?

S: I am really happy that even it started small, it grew so quickly and was supported by many volunteers from all over the country, even two whole municipalities and bTV national television. For the clean-up we used only natural products as vinegar and baking soda. 

You already have 960 refill stations on your map. How do you add new fountains? Can bars and restaurants also sign up as a refill station?

S: I started to add fountains to the map myself. Nowadays hundreds of volunteers are helping me out by adding new fountains through the website form. Venues that provide tap/filtered water and welcome people to fill their water bottle for free can also join. You can already find some restaurants on the map.

FUNDING & SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT

Do you get any financial support to do all this work?

S: No. Currently the project is ran without funding by volunteering efforts in our spare time. The project is working without a budget as a Google map since 2018 and it has already gained ambassadors, volunteers and public support, including national TV and other media features. To achieve higher impact and scale our solution we need to invest in a fully functional digital platform, water sampling and analysis and a strong awareness campaign. This year “Fountains of Bulgaria” even was ranked among 30 semi-finalists from over 500 projects across Europe challenging plastic waste in the European social innovation competition. As a part of it we visited a Social Innovation Academy in Turin where I attended many really useful workshops and met amazing people from all over Europe. Integral part of the team were my partner, who is also supporting me a lot with the project and my (then 2 months old) baby, who travels everywhere with me. :)) Thanks to the competition we also met our amazing coach, who is still supporting me with the project.

Last question: what is your ultimate goal? 

S: I want to start a national movement of tap water users and ambassadors – bringing tap water its credibility and public fountains back to life. A change in consumers’ mindsets and behaviour towards purchasing bottled water (in regions where water is drinkable). Hopefully we will achieve a system change – municipalities investing in the development of a strong public fountains infrastructure, instead of encouraging the usage of more single-use plastic bottles and looking for ways to recycle them. And of course the ultimate – legislation change – plastic bottles bans at key public places. 

READ MORE

The website Zero Waste Sofia is in Bulgarian (yes with a Cyrillic alphabet!), but that doesn’t stop us from being big fans (thank you Google Translate!). In our opinion, Simona is a true hero, and a talented photographer too. Check out the Zero Waste Sofia Instagram, and get inspired!

Do you have tips for Simona how she can grow the refill network in Bulgaria? Or do you want to become a volunteer or project partner? Please contact Simona at Simona@zerowastesofia.com.

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PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS

Around the world, there are thousands public drinking fountains. Refill your bottle during your citytrip, walk in the dunes or weekly workout. Free fresh water, no plastic needed! We love public fountains. But they can be hard to spot. It’s like searching for an ATM machine: when you really need them, you cannot find any. We know a solution: use the free water refill app Closca or mymizu.

WHERE DO I FIND PUBLIC FOUNTAINS?

Use your phone to locate an increasing number of public water fountains around the world! Water refill apps are free to use. We recommend you to use Closca and mymizu, as they cover the largest number of refill points, including many public fountains. We see many similarities between Closca and mymizu. Both apps work with user-feedback: you can suggest new refill stations (including public fountains) through the app. 

  • Closca Water app started in June 2019, and lists >200.000 refill stations worldwide. The app works with a reward system, you collect points when refilling. Download Closca here.
  • mymizu was launched in September 2019. The app now displays almost 200.000 refill stations around the world. Download mymizu here.

WHO TAKES CARE OF PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS?

Who is responsible for the water fountains? How are they maintained? Who decides where to place new fountains? This really differs per country. We can only speak for the Netherlands. Here, drinking water is supplied by ten different public water system companies. These companies facilitate and maintain our public drinking fountains. For example Waternet provides the water fountains in the Amsterdam region, Evides in Rotterdam, etc. Sometimes this is done in collaboration with organisations like Join the Pipe. 

HOW TO INITIALIZE NEW PUBLIC WATER FOUNTAINS?

Several local activists and groups have tried to convince municipalities to install clean drinking water fountains in their community. Unfortunately this can be a difficult battle, in particular when tap water is non-potable. However, one could try to install machines in collaboration with bigger enterprises on private land. For example, read the case story of RefilMe in Brazil to get inspired. Alternatively, try to convince bars, hotels etc. to enable and to promote safe (free) water refills for everyone. 

PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS IN THE NETHERLANDS

[2022 update] Public fountains in the Netherlands are now also mapped on Google Maps! Just search for ‘water tap’ on Google Maps. Almost 2.000 water taps are already in the system, thanks to Dopper. 

An alternative is to use the website Drinkwaterkaart.nl. The website (in Dutch) also displays free “pee-places” and “free-swimming-spots”. 

HAPPY REFILLING!

Public water fountains are in general safe but they seem to suffer from an image problem. We think this is unfair. Just make sure to double check in areas where tap water is non-potable. To prevent bacteria/viruses from spreading, you can use some clothing when pressing the button. 

What if there are no public fountains in your area? Try to refill your bottle in a bar, restaurant, shop. Don’t be shy, just ask! 

This blog was originally written in 2018 and updated in 2022. If you think other information should be added, please leave a comment below. 

 

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