Melbourne water retailers partner with Metro Trains Melbourne to encourage commuters to ditch the plastic and choose tap
South East Water, City West Water and Yarra Valley Water have joined forces with Metro Trains Melbourne to install six new drinking fountains at some of the busiest train stations across Melbourne. Set to be installed at Caulfield, Camberwell, Glenferrie, Sunshine and North Melbourne, the drinking fountains aim to reduce the use of single-use plastics by increasing access to tap water in shared community spaces.
The new fountains are part of the Choose Tap initiative, which works to improve the health and wellbeing of the community and environment by promoting tap water as the most sustainable drink of choice. Having previously installed drinking fountains in parks and along high streets, this is the first time Choose Tap will install fountains at train stations in Melbourne, marking a new period of sustainable choice for commuters.
South East Water Managing Director, Lara Olsen said the new drinking fountains will be an easy way for Melburnians to choose tap water instead of bottled while travelling by train – and they’ll reduce their single-use plastic footprint.
“We know that people often choose bottled water for convenience, especially around public transport locations. This partnership with Metro is giving us the opportunity to start changing this, by giving people a way to easily choose tap and refill their water bottle instead of having to purchase bottled water.”
“Not only is taking a refillable bottle better for the environment, water from these fountains is free – so people travelling on the trains can do their bit for both the environment and their wallet just by filling up at these public transport hubs."
- Managing Director Lara Olsen.
"Within South East Water’s service region we’re starting with two fountains at Caulfield Train Station, and are exploring opportunities for additional fountains at public transport hubs moving forward.” said Lara Olsen, our Managing Director.
Metro CEO, Raymond O’Flaherty said the drinking fountains were an important part of the operator’s commitment to a more sustainable public transport network.
“As our city recovers from COVID-19, and the public transport network gets busier, these drinking fountains will provide a healthy, sustainable water source for passengers on their commute.”
- Metro Trains CEO Raymond O'Flaherty.
The fountains have been fitted with motion sensors to activate the water flow, allowing commuters to safely refill their bottle without needing to touch the fountain.
Metro continues to support COVIDSafe train travel, with enhanced cleaning of trains and stations across the network to keep people moving. Passengers using Metro stations are reminded to continue wearing face masks as per current health advice.
Water in Victoria is regularly tested and maintains a high standard of water quality. There is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission by water fountain/bubble tap metalware.
While public drinking water supplies are safe to drink, the public are encouraged to take precautions to minimise the risk of infection transmission when using drinking water fountains and bubblers.
This includes running the water for several seconds before drinking and avoiding placing your mouth directly on the fountain or bubbler. When filling up your water bottle at a drinking fountain, ensure the mouth of your drink bottle does not touch the fountain head or bubbler.
Choose Tap is a national coalition comprising of 19 water retailers and councils from across Australia, calling on people to ditch the plastic and make the switch to tap water.
For more information about Choose Tap and to find your nearest drinking fountain, please visit www.choosetap.com.au.
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