Drinking Water Fountains

A ‘How To’ Guide

Guidance for organisations, groups and businesses who are looking to install water fountains for the benefit of their local community, and switch onto the dual needs to provide healthier alternatives to sugary drinks. Especially without contributing to the environmental damage caused by plastic bottles.

City to Sea (Refill campaign) and Sustain (Sugarsmart campaign) have collaborted to produce the Drinking Water Fountains ‘How To’ guide, which a first of its kind comprehensive guidance specifically to UK regulations and requirements.

Working with our water fountain partner, Culligan on the technical aspects of the guide, we have pulled together examples of fountains that have been installed in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community and transport hubs.

If you are interested in installing a fountain please email [email protected]

Fountains and taps

Culligan FOUNTAINS

Are you a high footfall area for tourists and shoppers, or a sport or educational facility looking for hydration points for the public? If you’re looking for a drinking fountain look no further than our national Refill Fountain Partner, Culligan, the UK’s leading provider of indoor, outdoor and contactless water bottle refill stations.

Practical Help

The guide offers a step-by-step guide to the practicalities of installation including:

  • The Recipe for Success
  • Support and Permissions
  • Location, Location, Location
  • Funding and Timeline
  • Design and Accessibility
  • Water Regulations and Notification
  • Water Quality, Safety and Hygiene
  • Responsibilities and Future proofing
  • Spreading the Word
  • Useful Contacts
Image of MIW fountain in Borough Market

Hillingdon Case Study

During 2018, Hillingdon Council’s green spaces team installed 15 drinking fountains at the borough’s parks to help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles and cups being thrown away.

The first of the fountains were installed in March 2018 with the rest completed by May. An additional 17 drinking fountains were installed over the rest of the year, bringing the total to 32!

“Residents using our parks for recreational activities, such as walking, jogging, playing a sport or using our outdoor gyms or playgrounds, will easily be able to use these fountains to fill reusable drinks bottles, reducing the amount of plastic waste going to landfill.”  

Paul Richards, Head of Green Spaces, Sport and Culture at Hillingdon Council.

Put your tap on the app

Over 30,000 businesses have joined the Refill movement and you can too! By signing up as a Refill Station you’ll be helping to keep Britain hydrated and free of plastic pollution.