Public Drinking Fountains: Disappearing and Detrimental
The History of Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains have been a staple of urban life for centuries. Ancient Greek and Roman cities featured sculptures where passersby could fill their jugs with water. The first dedicated drinking fountain was installed in London in 1859. Fountains soon spread to many cities in America, and chlorination drastically reduced deaths from contaminated water.
The Decline of Drinking Fountains
For a while, drinking fountains were more popular than bottled water. However, the trend reversed, and today drinking fountains are disappearing from America’s parks, schools, and stadiums. This decline is due to several factors, including:
- Broken or dirty fountains
- Lack of maintenance
- Unattractive designs
- The rise of bottled water
The Dangers of Bottled Water
The reliance on bottled water rather than fountains has serious environmental and health effects.
Environmental Impact
It takes about 1.5 million barrels of oil to create the 50 billion plastic water bottles Americans use each year. Less than a quarter of those bottles are recycled. This plastic pollution harms wildlife, pollutes our oceans, and contributes to climate change.
Health Impact
Bottled water is often no healthier than tap water. In fact, some studies have shown that bottled water can contain harmful chemicals. Additionally, the consumption of sugary drinks, which are often sold in plastic bottles, is linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
The Benefits of Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains provide several benefits, including:
- Access to clean water: Fountains provide access to clean, safe drinking water, which is essential for good health.
- Reduced consumption of sugary drinks: Studies have shown that children who have access to drinking fountains are less likely to drink sugary beverages.
- Environmental sustainability: Drinking fountains reduce the use of plastic bottles, which helps to protect the environment.
- Cost savings: Treating and delivering tap water is less expensive than bottled water.
Solutions to the Decline of Drinking Fountains
There are several solutions to the decline of drinking fountains, including:
- Maintaining existing fountains: Cities should regularly maintain existing drinking fountains to ensure they are clean and in good working order.
- Installing new fountains: Cities should install new drinking fountains in parks, schools, and other public spaces.
- Creative designs: Fountains can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and encourage use.
- Education: Public awareness campaigns can educate people about the benefits of drinking fountains and the dangers of bottled water.
Conclusion
Public drinking fountains are an important part of our communities. They provide access to clean water, reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, and protect the environment. We must take steps to ensure that drinking fountains continue to be a part of our urban landscape.
