Did you know that there was free water on tap at all London bus and rail stations

Exempt: tube stations which get notoriously hot will not get the tap water vending machines due to logistical problems

Free water on tap at all London bus and rail stations

Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent
10 Jun 2008 

Expat-Advice

Tap water vending machines could be installed in Tube and rail stations across London.

They would allow commuters to refill their water bottles, either for free or for a small charge, under plans announced by Thames Water today.

Andrea Riding, community liaison executive for the company, said: "There is a real momentum behind tap water but for people on the go it is a real problem. These machines would allow every rail and Tube station to offer free, chilled tap water.

"I think we have seen a real sea change in the attitude of Londoners to bottled water and now we hope we can bring that choice to people on the move as well."

She said Thames Water was in negotiations with several large agencies, includingTransport for London, about the scheme.

Mrs Riding continued: "We would hope that a company like TfL would run the operation and we think the machines would be a welcome addition to every Tube and bus station.

"It's something that will appeal to everyone, as you can simply fill a bottle on your way to work, then again on your way home."

The vending machines require a power socket and a connection to the water mains. They filter and chill the water and are also capable of selling reusable water bottles. Mrs Riding said the company was hopeful of winning the support of Boris Johnson, adding: "We worked with Ken Livingstone on this idea, so we are hopeful the new mayor will back it as well.

"There would be a nominal charge of perhaps 20p per half litre to cover the cost and upkeep of the machine but we are hopeful that a major sponsor could be attracted.

"The sponsor could have their advert on the machines and bottles and that way it should be possible to offer free tap water to everyone."

The announcement of the project comes in the wake of the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign, which aims to reduce the amount of bottled water Londoners consume because it is environmentally unfriendly.

More than 3,000 restaurants, bars and clubs in London have signed up by pledging to offer their customers free tap water alongside bottled.

The public's perception of bottled water is also changing. Shop sales fell by nine per cent to £284million in the year to March, according to independent retail analysts TNS 

Hooray for the City of Melbourne, for its first filtered water station!

Filtered water station

The City of Melbourne has installed a water station in the Bourke Street Mall where you can refill your bottle with free, filtered water.

The station will be there for a trial period through the warm weather months until the end of April 2010.

Despite the high quality of Australian water, Australians spend half a billion dollars per year on bottled water.

Every year, billions of discarded plastic water bottles around the world end up as litter or landfill. 

The City of Melbourne will research whether the water station leads to less plastic bottles being discarded in the area.

Bottled water damages the environment by consuming oil and other resources. The processing, refrigeration and transportation of bottled water creates significant greenhouse gases.

The water filter station is located at the Swanston Street end of the Bourke Street Mall on the south side. Look out for our City Ambassadors in red blazers who can direct you to it.