New ‘smart’ water fountains providing free, safe clean water

Outdoor drinking water fountains that automatically monitor their water use and let you know when they need to be cleaned, are being installed at three locations in regional South Australia.

SA Water has been working with local government, Zoos SA and manufacturer Meet PAT to set up the fountains within the Monarto Zoo in the Murraylands, at Port Augusta in the state's Far North and Coonalpyn in the South East.

SA Water's General Manger of Communications and Engagement Anna Jackson said the drinking stations provide a free alternative to bottled water when you're out and about.

"The fountains are connected to our local supply network, which distributes drinking water to homes and businesses across the state," Anna said.

"The water the fountains produce is the same safe, clean water that flows from your tap.

"These three fountains also have a more modern design with the inclusion of a 'water window' allowing easy filling of a reusable bottle, as well as some additional special features.

"The fountains' water use can be remotely monitored by the relevant council or Zoos SA (in the case of Monarto), generate subsequent cleaning and maintenance schedules, and Port Augusta's and Coonalpyn's also come with a solar lighting system for illumination at night.

"On top of this, they 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," Anna said.

"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 and label."

Local councils/Zoos SA will be responsible for the installation and ongoing management and maintenance of the fountains in their respective areas. SA Water - through the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC) - will conduct annual testing of the water supplied through the fountain.

SA Water plans to roll-out more drinking fountains in other areas of South Australia in the near future.

In the meantime, portable water trailers - or Quench Benches - with in-built taps and bubblers, are also available free of charge from SA Water for large community events in metropolitan and regional areas of the state.

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