Drinking fountain refresh gets you ready for summer

From city streets to coastal trails, SA Water’s drinking water fountains are back to their best, after being refurbished with refreshed panels and artwork, holding them in good stead to rehydrate South Australians this summer.

These much-loved hydration stations have recently had a facelift with maintenance upgrades that not only make them look new but ensure they continue delivering safe, clean drinking water to the community.

Data shows that since 2019 when the first of SA Water’s 113 drinking fountains were installed, nearly 1.4 million litres of water has been dispensed, saving more than 2.3 million plastic bottles from landfill, demonstrating community assets are making a meaningful difference for people and the environment.

SA Water’s Brand and Community Connection Manager Kellie McDonald said the fountains are a simple but powerful way the utility serves customers and supports healthy, sustainable choices.

“They’re like little soldiers of summer, always standing by to keep people refreshed and connected to high-quality drinking water, no matter where their day takes them,” Kellie said.

“We’ve recently given them a refresh and they’re looking fantastic, but more importantly they’re continuing to help people stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste, one refill at a time.”

To help people get the most from the network, SA Water is encouraging everyone to BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle – and use their free mobile app to find fountains nearby.

“The BYOB app is your go-to hydration companion. It’s a smart, simple way to find your nearest fountain, plan your refill stops and make every drop count,” Kellie said.

“Whether you’re out for a run, walking the dog or exploring somewhere new, just bring your own reusable bottle and check the app to tap into our drinking water.

“We know that tap water is a better habit, and the fountains make it more accessible and reduce our reliance on single-use plastic while supporting a healthier, more sustainable South Australia.”

The BYOB app pinpoints the location of more than 1,300 fountains across South Australia. It also includes details of the fountain’s accessibility for kids and people in wheelchairs, and others with dog bowls.

While SA Water has supplied more than 100 of these fountains to enable people access to drinking water while out and about, local councils are responsible for their day-to-day maintenance.

The utility works closely with councils to ensure the fountains remain clean, accessible and in good working condition.

“If you come across a fountain that’s damaged or not working properly, we encourage you to report it directly to the local council in that area,” Kellie said.

“It’s a shared effort and by looking out for your local fountains, you’re helping keep water flowing for everyone. You can even use the BYOB app to let councils know their fountain could do with some attention.

“Likewise, we encourage people to add a fountain to the app that we may have missed, to help spread the hydration and sustainable message to more South Australians.”

To download the free BYOB app, visit BYOB: Bring Your Own Bottle.