Agenda item

Drinking Fountains - Delivering Additional Water Refill Points in the City's Public Realm

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment, relative to Drinking Fountains – Delivering Additional Water Refill Points in the City’s Public Realm.

 

Members were informed that the first of eight new refill points was to be installed on Cheapside on 20 March 2019and that the map accompanying this report depicted future locations for the installation of additional fountains.

 

A Member questioned why it appeared that all the new fountains were to be installed on the perimeter of the Square Mile as opposed to more centrally. Officers responded that the proposed sites had been mapped out against footfall and available water connections and that an attempt at spreading these evenly throughout the City had been made.

 

A Member suggested that the Finsbury Circus site might warrant consideration for a future installation following its reopening.

 

A Member suggested that the City of London Corporation share the information about water fountain locations with businesses which are based in the City so that the information could, in turn, be disseminated to their staff.  The City of London Corporation is working to promote water fountains through the Plastic Free City campaign.

 

Members discussed how the spread of infection might be prevented if users attempted to drink directly from the fountains. The Chairman noted that the fountains were downwards facing, furthermore, Officers also assured the Committee that extensive daily cleaning and regular monitoring regimes are in place, and these will also apply to new fountains.

 

RESOLVED – that the Committee note the report.

 

Supporting documents: