There are calls to introduce a public drinking water fountain scheme it Killarney.

A new scheme was launched in Dublin this week by the Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce plastic bottle use and provide widespread public access to drinking water.

€2 million in funding from the Circular Economy Fund will be made available for the rollout of public water infrastructure through Uisce Éireann, Local Authorities and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. 

Initially the scheme will focus on the installation of drinking fountains within public buildings, with future phases of the scheme to include the installation of drinking fountains in public outdoor spaces.

“Killarney needs water refill stations and these must be visible and signed,” said Green Party candidate Diarmaid Griffin.

“I welcome to roll out of water stations and that sustainability is being encouraged in a very tangible way,”

“The health and environmental impacts of bottled water are becoming clearer all the time. The local council needs to be the leaders in encouraging sustainability by installing these water stations and making them easy to find,”

“Killarney is a single use coffee cup free town thanks to a grassroots initiative. Now local government and central government must put their shoulder to the wheel.”