Little water wonder comes to Kapunda

An outdoor drinking water fountain that automatically monitors its water use and lets you know when it needs to be cleaned, is now operating in Kapunda, just in time for the town’s end of year street party.

The fountain is one of five set up across regional parts of the state, providing a free alternative to bottled water for the local community and people passing through the area.

This installation is also the first of SA Water’s fountains to feature artwork created by Aboriginal artist Paul Herzich, which depicts waterholes specific to Aboriginal groups from across South Australia.

SA Water's General Manager of Communications and Engagement Anna Jackson said the fountain helps show an appreciation for the connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have with the land and water.

“Including these special designs on the Kapunda fountain is part of our commitment to reconciliation, and is just one of the ways we’re demonstrating this in our work with communities around the state,” Anna said.

“We’ve also learnt from the Light Regional Council, who have worked with the local Aboriginal community, the name Kapunda is believed to be taken from cappieoonda, which is an Aboriginal phrase meaning ‘jumping water’.”

The fountain is connected to SA Water's supply network, which distributes drinking water to homes and businesses in the region.

"The water this fountain produces is the same safe, clean water that flows from your tap," Anna said.

"The fountain has a more modern design with the inclusion of a 'water window' allowing easy filling of a reusable bottle, and a foot pedal-operated in-ground dog bowl which lowers and fills with water for single use, ensuring adequate drainage and clean water every time.

"The fountain's water use can also be remotely monitored by the local council, generate subsequent cleaning and maintenance schedules, and comes with a solar lighting system for illumination at night.

"On top of this, it can produce environmental, health and cost saving reports, with information such as how many plastic bottles were saved from landfill by choosing to either take a drink directly or fill up a reusable bottle with water from the fountain.

"There are clear environmental benefits of choosing tap over bottled water, but it's also better for your hip pocket - more than 90 per cent of the cost of a bottle of water actually comes from its lid, bottle and label."

SA Water has worked with local government, Zoos SA and manufacturer Meet PAT to set up the five fountains in Kapunda, Port Lincoln, Coonalpyn, Port Augusta and within the Monarto Zoo.

"We're also continuing to get interest from other communities across South Australia, and plan to roll-out more drinking fountains in the near future," Anna said.

"In the meantime, we provide portable water trailers - or Quench Benches - with in-built taps and bubblers, free of charge for large community events in regional and metropolitan areas around the state."

The Light Regional Council will be responsible for the ongoing management and maintenance of the fountain in their region. SA Water - through the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC) - will ensure the ongoing quality of the water by conducting annual testing of the water supplied through the fountain.

Contact:

Phone:

Email: