On Tuesday, August 16, the City launch a pilot project of Ottawa’s first hydrant drinking water fountain bringing clean and accessible water to residents in the Somerset community. This seasonal water fountain was attached to a local hydrant and was tested and cleaned, and is now ready to use by residents, tourists and even their pets.
The hydrant fountain is a great addition to the community; it is mobile–requiring only a fire hydrant (and some lead time)–to provide safe drinking water for residents on the go. In the coming weeks, it will be a welcome resource for those in Ottawa who are looking to refill their water bottles or access a sip of Ottawa’s tap water.
As part of the pilot project, the fountain will be moving around the city, spending approximately two weeks at each location while its usage and community feedback is evaluated. The fountain will include important messages about the safety of our water, including that it is tested 100,000 times annually and that a refillable bottle can be filled 400 times for just $1.
Before launching the hydrant fountain pilot project, the City worked closely with our partners in Fire Services to ensure that access would not be compromised during an emergency.
The innovative project was led by the Infrastructure and Water Services (IWSD) team, including the water distribution leads Carol Hall and Brian Simpson, and supported by partners at Emergency and Protective Services – Ottawa Fire Services’ Station 11, the Office of the City Clerk – Accessibility Office, the Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department and Ottawa Public Health. Congratulations to all those involved in bringing this project forward!
Thanks to Alycia White-Brown, Outreach and Communications Coordinator for sharing this message with our offices.
