Greenwich water fountains reconnected to offer plastic bottles alternative

Nine water fountains in parks and open spaces in Greenwich have been reconnected to help residents and visitors stay hydrated and reduce the use of plastic bottles.

The fountains will be switched off at the end of November to protect the pipes during the winter, and turned on again at the start of March next year.

Cllr Majid Rahman, cabinet member for planning, estate renewal and development, said: “We want to make sure that residents and visitors to our borough have access to fresh drinking water when they are out and about.

“It’s an important part of our work to become carbon neutral by 2030 by reducing the use of disposable plastic water bottles, which can often end up in landfill.”

You can find the water fountains at the following parks, green spaces and popular visiting spots: Charlton Park, Cutty Sark Gardens, East Greenwich Pleasance, Eltham Park South, Hyde Vale, Maryon Park, Mell Street, Oxleas Meadows and Shrewsbury Park.

The Hyde Vale Fountain (pictured) is one of the few historic drinking fountains still working in London. It was previously restored by the council with support from the Heritage of London Trust (HoLT), Historic England, Greenwich Society and Peter Harris Trust.

The works enabled it to be removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

(Picture: Greenwich council)