Drinking fountains with refill stations Consultation outcomes In April and May 2014, the Canberra community was invited to participate in a survey to help determine the location of 20 public drinking fountains with water refill stations. The survey was undertaken via the ACT Government’s Time to Talk website and through hard copy surveys at public libraries. While the primary purpose of the survey was to seek feedback on the preferred location of 20 drinking fountains, the consultation also provided an opportunity to gain insight into attitudes towards public drinking fountains. During the six week consultation period 602 surveys were completed. Overall responses were very positive and supportive of the project. The 20 drinking fountain locations informed by the community consultation are as follows: Events Terrace (Discovery Garden), National Arboretum Canberra Mount Ainslie lookout City Walk, Garema Place, City City Walk, City Black Mountain lookout City Bus Station, Alinga Street, City City Bus Station, Mort Street, City Woden Town Square, Woden Town Centre Weston Park, Yarralumla Bunda Street, City Ainslie Avenue, City Tuggeranong Town Park, Tuggeranong Acton Park, Acton Eastern Valley Way Wetlands, Lake Ginninderra Weston Creek Shopping Centre playground Jamison Plaza, Macquarie Hibberson Ave, Gungahlin Town Centre Erindale Shopping Centre, Wanniassa Mawson Shopping Centre, Mawson Eddison Park, Phillip. The locations of the drinking fountains are quite evenly spread across Canberra with eight to be installed in the south of Canberra, six in the City and six in the north of Canberra. Over 80% of survey respondents stated that having more public drinking fountains with a refill tap would encourage them to carry a reusable water bottle and, in turn, reduce plastic bottle waste caused by purchased drinks. In addition to the 20 drinking fountains which will be installed in high pedestrian areas informed by this community consultation, 10 drinking fountains will also be installed at pre-selected sportsgrounds across the ACT as follows: Harrison District Playing Fields Dickson District Playing Fields Deakin District Playing Fields Downer Neighbourhood Oval Aranda District Playing Fields Kambah District Playing Fields Mawson District Playing Fields Calwell District Playing Fields Rivett Neighbourhood Oval Majura District Playing Fields Reasons people use drinking fountains and drink tap water The convenience (81.06%) To reduce plastic bottle waste (72.59%) The low cost (67.94%) Healthy alternative to sugary drinks (63.46%) Over 80% of survey respondents choose to drink tap water and use drinking fountains because of the convenience. The survey results also show there is a high level of public awareness regarding the negative environmental impact of disposable plastic bottles and the negative health impact of consuming sugary drinks. Public use of reusable water bottles Every day (35.05%) 4-6 days a week (27.08%) 1-3 days a week (20.60%) Only when I exercise (7.97%) Over half of the survey respondents carry and use a refillable bottle more than four times a week, which is a great result and will only increase further once the drinking fountains with refill stations are installed. Knowing that there will be more opportunities for the community to refill their water bottles when out in public will encourage more users of the water refill stations. Reasons why people do not carry or use a refillable bottle Forgetting to take a bottle (55.06%) It’s too bulky to carry a bottle (44.30%) I don’t know where to refill my bottle (35.76%) Having 30 drinking fountains installed across Canberra will provide a good incentive for people to carry a water bottle with them. Eye catching artwork will be applied to the drinking fountains to make them visually appealing and to promote the benefits of tap water which may encourage more people to carry a water bottle. Each new water fountain will have two bottle refill nozzles set at different heights to accommodate adults, children and wheelchair users and make it easy to refill bottles. The locations of each drinking fountain will also be listed on the Mobile Canberra app which is available to download for free from Google Play and iTunes. Mobile Canberra will allow the public to locate the nearest drinking fountain and is available on iPhone, Android and tablet devices. Key issues The following recurring issues were raised when survey respondents were asked to provide further comments about drinking fountains. Cleanliness and maintenance of the water stations “A great idea – but need regular maintenance and cleaning – perhaps a plate on them providing a contact number should a fountain be malfunctioning.” “If the fountains were designed so people can't make them dirty - I am often put off by public fountains because people seem to deliberately dirty them.” A number of respondents were concerned about the cleanliness and maintenance of the water refill stations. Many would not drink from a water station if they were dirty or damaged. The drinking fountain unit selected has features to improve cleaning and maintenance. These features include anti-bacterial refill nozzles, blade type design to avoid water pooling and robust and vandal-deterrent fittings. Many in the community were unsure how to report damaged or non-operational drinking fountains. In response to this comment, the Canberra Connect contact details (13 22 81) will be incorporated onto the artwork panels of the units to allow the public to report any damage/cleaning issues immediately. Vandalism “I think it's a great initiative. However, the fountains need to be maintained properly, kept clean and designed to prevent vandalism.” “My only concern is of course vandalism. What measures will be put into place to try to stop them being vandalised?” The drinking fountains will be located in high pedestrian areas with lots of passive surveillance. The new water refill stations feature a modular design which allows parts and panels to be replaced at a smaller cost than if the whole unit was required to be replaced. To enable any damaged or vandalised units to be promptly repaired the Canberra Connect contact details will be included in the artwork design of the unit panels. Inclusion of a dog bowl “At popular walking routes a tap/bowl at the bottom of station would mean that dogs can also have a drink.” “I would love to see more refill stations for dogs.” While the current units don’t specifically feature a dog bowl, people will be able to refill their bottles to provide their dogs with a drink of water and dog bowls may be installed in the future at an additional cost. Environmental impact “A great initiative – anything which will reduce the commercialisation of a healthy, natural resource, and litter created by plastic bottles is worth supporting.” “Water refill stations are essential to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles.” “I believe this is a brilliant initiative to encourage a higher consumption of water, without cost or additional landfill.” Most comments received throughout the survey were positive and supported of the drinking fountains. Many respondents congratulated the ACT Government on the initiative to install drinking fountains with refill stations and suggested that if the roll out is successful they would like to see more stations installed. Satisfaction with consultation Survey respondents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the consultation with 92.52% of respondents either very satisfied or satisfied with the consultation, 6.31% of respondents neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 1.16% or respondents dissatisfied. Instillation timeline The 30 drinking fountains will be installed from June 2014 to June 2015 starting with installation of the drinking fountains at the pre-selected sportsground locations, followed by the 20 locations informed by the community consultation. Further information For further information visit www.tams.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.