- Ms Ekins calls for the installation of drinking water fountains at recent City Council meeting.
- Green Party Cllr Stuart Allen says drinking water provision would be pragmatic and easily implemented, with many social and health benefits.
- Labour Portfolio Holder, Cllr Lydia Hyde will consider the suggestion.
Southend resident and Green Party activist, Lauren Ekins, has called on Southend City Council to install free drinking fountains across the city.
At Southend’s full council meeting on Thursday 5th September, Ms Ekins asked the portfolio holder for Climate, Environment and Waste, Cllr Lydia Hyde to consider a study of potential sites and funding opportunities to provide free drinking water fountains to residents and visitors.
“Long before Southend was turned into a concrete jungle, there were water pumps, wells, and drinking fountains all around the town providing fresh drinking water to residents and holidaymakers.
Last summer, the council paid Veolia to collect ‘20 tonnes of rubbish and litter from the seafront alone*’ each weekend. Imagine if the residents and tourists throwing away all those plastic drink bottles could refill just one bottle from one of Southend’s drinking water fountains? How much would that save the council on rubbish collection in the future?”
Lauren Ekins, Green Party Activist
Cllr Hyde appeared very receptive on the night to the suggestion and stated, “I agree that we must seek out new ways to tackle plastic waste, especially on our seafront. The Council does invest in its operational buildings through the Property Refurbishment Programme and other capital programmes. As part of this the Council will consider where water refill points may be appropriately provided for residents, visitors and staff including seeking funding from external sources where available.”
Green City Councillor, Cllr Stuart Allen, welcomes the news;
“It’s a refreshing idea and I’m happy the portfolio holder is taking the suggestion seriously. Access to drinking water is common in many cities, but Southend is lacking in such provision. There is a clear case for this kind of investment on social and health grounds. Anything we can do to reduce the litter plaguing our streets and beaches, the better!”
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Image ref: Deborah L Carlson