Drinking fountains to be trialled at London Charing Cross

[theageofthetra]

NR SE have stated that they are introducing water fountains at CHX and will be rolling them out across their managed stations.
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...-splash-with-free-drinking-water-at-stations/

Users of some of the country’s largest railway stations will soon be able to benefit from the introduction of free drinking water facilities, Network Rail has announced.

The free drinking water initiative, which seeks to encourage station users to refill their own multiple use water bottles, forms part of Network Rail’s wider ambitions to reduce the impact of plastic waste at its stations.

The scheme will begin with the trial installation of a new water fountain at London Charing Cross by the end of March. Learnings from the trial will inform a full rollout of free drinking water facilities across all Network Rail’s managed stations later in the year with fountains installed where it is practical and feasible to do so.

The new facilities will provide free drinking water on the go for the millions of people who use Network Rail managed stations annually, improving station user experience...

An excellent initiative and will help reduce the ridiculous amount of waste caused by single use plastic bottles.

Our drinking fountain provision in this country is a disgrace compared to say Australia or even the US and this is a step in the right direction.

Don't even get me started on the lack of them at our airports.

 

[GW43125]

I think it’s a great idea, as I usually only carry one bottle and I’m absolutely patched by the evening.

We do have them in some airports, Gatwick does, the issue is getting the bottle through security!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Never had any issue getting an empty bottle with the lid removed through airport security. Those fountains are provided specifically for that reason; Luton has them too.

Agree, it's good to see them making a return at stations.

 

[telstarbox]

Good idea.

On my last few flights I've taken an empty reusable bottle through security with no problems then filled it up airside.

 

[theageofthetra]

I think it’s a great idea, as I usually only carry one bottle and I’m absolutely patched by the evening.

We do have them in some airports, Gatwick does, the issue is getting the bottle through security!

You can take an empty plastic bottle through security. I also take one of those <100ml super concentrated juices to make a drink up once airside- handy also in countries where local products aren't sugar free or of dubious quality.

Am yet to find any fountains non airside at Stansted and there is only one well hidden away at T5 LHR.

 

[frodshamfella]

Great, put them as many places as possible and get away from buying plastic bottles of water.

 

[Romilly]

The Drinking Fountain Association, founded in 1859 and previously known as the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association, has a useful website include a directory of locations of drinking fountains.

See http://drinkingfountains.org/

 

[SamYeager]

In principle the idea is good since so many people seem incapable of recycling their bottles. I do wonder however how long it will be before there are complaints about the costs of installing all these fountains and the subsequent maintenance costs to ensure the water is not contaminated.

 

[route:oxford]

They don't dispense sparkling water though.

 

[387star]

I would be worried about the quality of the water?

Surely this could spread diseases?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would be worried about the quality of the water?

Tap water in the UK is safe to drink.

Surely this could spread diseases?

Only if they are poorly designed so you could put your mouth round the spout.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In principle the idea is good since so many people seem incapable of recycling their bottles.

Reduce and re-use come before recycle, so even if every last one was being recycled it is still better.

 

[westv]

I do feel slightly bemused that people feel they must carry around a bottle of water wherever they go. Yes, we need to drink it but do we really need it available 24/7? Would it create a crisis if were without it for a short part of our day?
I'm obviously not including anybody that might, for example, have a medical need.

 

[yorkie]

I do feel slightly bemused that people feel they must carry around a bottle of water wherever they go. Yes, we need to drink it but do we really need it available 24/7? Would it create a crisis if were without it for a short part of our day?
I'm obviously not including anybody that might, for example, have a medical need.

Less need at this time of year admitted, but train operators do recommend passengers bring water with them, especially in the Summer months. Passengers do become dehydrated, especially on London Underground's deep tube lines. And you never know when a delay is going to occur.

 

[Bevan Price]

There used to be drinking water fountains or taps on most of the larger stations in Scotland - sometimes with a metal cup chained to a wall - and also on various stations in England & Wales, plus in many town centres & public parks. Not sure why most of them disappeared - maybe vandalism, or a desire to extract money from customers to boost sales in refreshment rooms ?

 

[Bromley boy]

If it’s a tap to fill a bottle, fine.

A drinking fountain loads of people have slobbered over was unappealing enough at school, let alone in the average London terminal with all and sundry having access to it.

 

[mark-h]

Only if they are poorly designed so you could put your mouth round the spout.

As well as the bottle filling tap there should also be a drinking fountain that is able to be used directly for people to have a quick slurp from. I think I have seen bottle filling taps which are difficult to drink directly from requiring the user to use a cup or bottle.

I have seen combined units with two outlets although there is usually only enough water pressure to use one at a time.

 

[theageofthetra]

As well as the bottle filling tap there should also be a drinking fountain that is able to be used directly for people to have a quick slurp from. I think I have seen bottle filling taps which are difficult to drink directly from requiring the user to use a cup or bottle.

I have seen combined units with two outlets although there is usually only enough water pressure to use one at a time.

The type you find all over US airports have both and at two different heights for disabled/children. The Aussie ones are in some places even filtered and cooled.

 

[MG11]

If this is introduced at all Network Rail station, what about the impact on sales of water from the catering trolley, i.e. EMT from ST Pancras?

 

[Clip]

If this is introduced at all Network Rail station, what about the impact on sales of water from the catering trolley, i.e. EMT from ST Pancras?

What about it? If they cant price their drinks good enough to sell them then they should give up trying to sell them.

One thinks that you may now work for RG after your failed attempt at becoming an RPI the way you go on about them

 

[HowardGWR]

I do feel slightly bemused that people feel they must carry around a bottle of water wherever they go. Yes, we need to drink it but do we really need it available 24/7? Would it create a crisis if were without it for a short part of our day?
I'm obviously not including anybody that might, for example, have a medical need.

Leaving a big airport like Gatwick, you could be faced with a 3 or 4 hour journey and we find that a bottle of water is just the ticket for such a long time on a train with no trolley facilities (Southern to Southampton via Barnham, looking at you!). A drinking tap/ fountain at Gatwick station concourse, clearly signposted, would be much appreciated.

 

[Pete_uk]

Tap water in the UK is safe to drink.

But tastes horrible which is why people buy bottled water.

 

[Edinburgh2000]

But tastes horrible which is why people buy bottled water.

Well, that depends on the part of the UK in which you live!

 

[theageofthetra]

Less need at this time of year admitted, but train operators do recommend passengers bring water with them, especially in the Summer months. Passengers do become dehydrated, especially on London Underground's deep tube lines. And you never know when a delay is going to occur.

Numerous stories of

If this is introduced at all Network Rail station, what about the impact on sales of water from the catering trolley, i.e. EMT from ST Pancras?

Hopefully will reduce this overpriced and wasteful practice.

 

[DarloRich]

I would be worried about the quality of the water?

Surely this could spread diseases?

Christ on a bike. Disease? really?

Tap water is perfectly fine in the UK.

 

[westv]

I drink tap water all the time. Tastes fine to me. I'm sure I've seen surveys in the past where people have blind tasted water from various sources and tap water always scores high.

 

[westv]

Less need at this time of year admitted, but train operators do recommend passengers bring water with them, especially in the Summer months. Passengers do become dehydrated, especially on London Underground's deep tube lines. And you never know when a delay is going to occur.

But it isn't summer now. If we didn't have this obsession with water we might not be in the predicament with plastic bottles we have now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I drink tap water all the time. Tastes fine to me. I'm sure I've seen surveys in the past where people have blind tasted water from various sources and tap water always scores high.

There are some areas where it tastes somewhat overchlorinated, but there are plenty of filtering devices on the market to remove this at the point of use. Even if not fitted to the fountains plenty of filter bottles are available. But that isn't the case in all or even most of the UK, it depends largely on local delivery infrastructure.

 

[Edinburgh2000]

I drink tap water all the time. Tastes fine to me. I'm sure I've seen surveys in the past where people have blind tasted water from various sources and tap water always scores high.

Indeed. And I would always be much happier drinking water from the tap, which will have been through a water treatment works no more than 24 hours previously, than risk drinking from a bottle that could have been on the shelf unrefrigerated for days or even weeks. And our water in Scotland tastes great from the tap, thanks very much!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Indeed. And I would always be much happier drinking water from the tap, which will have been through a water treatment works no more than 24 hours previously, than risk drinking from a bottle that could have been on the shelf unrefrigerated for days or even weeks. And our water in Scotland tastes great from the tap, thanks very much!

Not to mention leaching from the plastic bottles. Though be aware that aluminium bottles (the cheap unlined ones; SIGG bottles have a BPA-free plastic lining) are no better. I was having headaches and switched to stainless steel and not only did it taste better but the headaches stopped.