Quench your thirst at the touch of a button: from now on, Stadtwerke Giessen's drinking water fountains will once again be supplying the precious liquid - free of charge, of course.
2022 was the hottest summer in Europe since weather records began. This was also clearly felt by the people of Giessen. Cities heat up much more than suburbs and rural regions. "Even though we are still a long way from a heatwave this year, we are pleased that our public drinking water fountains are now supplying the most important foodstuff again after the winter break. At the touch of a button. We had to wait for the laboratory results to certify the purity and high quality of the water from these stations. These are now available and everyone can now quench their thirst there free of charge around the clock," explains Christian Francke, Group Manager Gas and Water Systems at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG).
Three new drinking fountains in Giessen
In autumn 2022, SWG installed new drinking water fountains at three highly frequented locations in the city - at Berliner Platz, at the Ringallee bathing centre and in the immediate vicinity of the market square. They are a joint response by the city and the municipal utility company to the effects of climate change, subsidised by the state of Hesse, and bring the number of free thirst quenching stations in Giessen to five. Two of these have been located in Plockstraße and Lindenplatz since 1988. Christian Francke adds: "On hot days, the human need for fluids increases to two to three litres. The more options there are to cover this, the better."
Well received
Although only in operation for a short time last year - SWG always has to shut down the fountains in winter for frost protection reasons - the project manager has already drawn a cautiously positive balance. "Of course, we can only provide really useful figures after the first year of consumption. But even during the first short period of operation in late autumn, it became clear that the service is well received even in the cold season. Passers-by at the Berliner Platz bus station have already tapped plenty of the refreshing water," says Christian Francke.
Less waste
Another plus point of the drinking fountains: They help to reduce plastic waste and save money. This is because many people fill up empty plastic or reusable drinking bottles there on their way to work or school - instead of buying new drinks. The drinking water expert explains: "You can do this with a clear conscience. Because our tap water is of excellent quality - including that from the drinking fountains. This is not only ensured by regular, strict controls by the drinking water laboratory. The design of the fountains also guarantees the highest standards of hygiene. For example, our stations have an automatic flushing system to prevent water from collecting in the pipes."