City of Waterloo adds new drinking fountain in Uptown Public Square

The City of Waterloo unveiled a new public drinking fountain in Waterloo Uptown Square on Tuesday.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe and Ward 7 Councillor Julie Wright appeared alongside city staff to open the new fountain as a heat advisory is in effect for Waterloo Region.

The new four-pronged station includes a bottle filling station, a drinking station, an accessible drinking station and a pet station. It is the first water station to be powered by a fire hydrant and is connected though the municipal water system.

McCabe said the fountain will be an important addition to the Square as people walking though the area can stop for a drink or refill their water bottles when needed.

“We know it’s hotter so we want people to have access to drinking water when they need it,” said McCabe. “It’s safe, clean, and certainly better than drinking bottled water.”

The new fountain cost approximately $6,500 and is part of the City’s climate change adaptation program and larger rebuild of Waterloo Uptown Square. McCabe said there will be three permanent structures that will bring more shade added to the Square.

Ena Ristic, Senior Sustainability Officer for the City of Waterloo, believes that many people will use the station and praised its design to accommodate those with pets.

There’s been nothing really uptown,” said Ristic. “I’ve definitely had moments where I have had to walk to convenience stores to get something. So, I think it’s in a great spot.”

The City is looking to add two more fountains to the outside of Waterloo City Hall and Heritage Green at the corner of King and William.

The City said the fountain will operate during the summer months and will not impact the normal use of the fire hydrant.