Within just two years, the number of drinking fountains in public spaces in Vienna has increased by 200
Vienna (OTS) – In Vienna, no one has to go without tap water when walking or running. Public drinking fountains provide easy access to refreshing drinking water from April to October. They are distributed throughout the city, for example in markets, parks or playgrounds. The availability of publicly accessible drinking water is an important contribution to the high quality of life in Vienna. The city of Vienna therefore invests heavily in expanding drinking fountains every year. This year, 1,500 drinking fountains will go into operation in public spaces for the first time.
“It is important to me that people can cool down quickly and quench their thirst in as many places as possible in Vienna. “That’s why we have increased the number of drinking fountains to 1,500 in recent years,” says Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. Expanding the range of drinking fountains is a measure of the heat action plan and the climate roadmap. As part of the implementation, around 200 new drinking fountains have been added in the past two years alone. With the rising spring temperatures, they have been brought out of their winter break since the end of March. The fountains are turned on from the city center towards the outskirts of the city.
The city of Vienna is planning numerous new drinking fountain locations in the city expansion areas. When redesigning squares and streets, it is also being examined whether additional drinking fountains are necessary. In addition, the districts are trying to find new locations. A special eye-catcher are the drinking fountains with the name Brunnhilde, which can be seen from afar. They can be found on particularly busy streets and squares. In addition to high spring water for drinking, the Brunnhilden offers fine, cooling spray to cool down in hot weather. Last winter, the 3-meter-high stainless steel drinking fountains were dismantled for maintenance. They are currently being gradually reinstalled at their previous locations.
New EU drinking water directive complied with
With the significant expansion of drinking fountains, the city of Vienna is already meeting the new rules of the EU Drinking Water Directive. This obliges EU member states to improve and maintain access to drinking water for all people, especially for vulnerable and marginalized groups. “For 150 years, the City of Vienna has ensured that the people of Vienna are provided with drinking water of the best quality. With drinking fountains, Vienna ensures that the most important food is also available in public spaces at a low threshold,” says Vienna Water boss Paul Hellmeier.
Way to the nearest drinking fountain
If you want to find your way to the cool spots in the city, you can find them in the digital city map of the City of Vienna or in the City of Vienna app. Both show Viennese people ways to cool off in their surroundings.
All information is available at: wien.gv.at/wienwasser
Questions & Contact:
Philip Lindner
Media spokesperson StR Jürgen Czernohorszky
+43 1 4000 81853
philipp.lindner@wien.gv.at
Astrid Rompolt
City of Vienna – Viennese water
Phone: +43 1 599 59 31071
E-Mail: astrid.rompolt@wien.gv.at