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Water bottle fill stations expanding in Penticton

There soon will be six water bottle fill stations to help reduce single use plastic bottles
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A water bottle filling station placed in the 300-block of Main Street. (City of Penticton photo)

While traditional water drinking fountains have fallen by the wayside, the City of Penticton continues to expand the number of water bottle fill stations around the city.

There will soon be six water bottle fill stations with locations at Naramata Road and Poplar Grove, the 300 block of Main Street, at The Peach concession on Okanagan Lake, 100 Industrial Place (dog park), 2088 Dartmouth Road (dog park) and at 2965 South Main St. (near the seniors drop-in centre).

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“We use to have drinking fountains, like the old school style ones you would find in a school, in our park system but those went by the wayside because they posed challenges. With our water bottle stations we don’t have any real concerns because they don’t have a traditional basin that holds things you don’t want,” said Todd Whyte, parks supervisor.

According to Whyte, the stations are not exactly cheap ringing in at about $8,000 each plus installation costs. Several of the stations have been donated by the public, including the one at Naramata Road and Poplar Grove (Freedom Bike Shop and Harry Howard mortgage broker).

The Rotary Club and the city are going to be installing two new stations and bike repair stations at Skaha Park and another at the Munson Mountain BMX track. The bike repair station will be similar to the one located near The Peach concession and those come cost $3,000 each.

The water bottle fill stations use potable water connected to the City of Penticton water mains and are a step forward to helping reduce single-use plastic bottles.

“It certainly helps in the sustainability initiative of reducing single-use water bottles. Another positive benefit is also that it is a community service to provide fresh drinking water,” said Whyte.

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