EFFORTS to reduce plastic waste and provide high quality drinking water in public places have moved up a gear on the Northside.
Fingal County Council is in the process of installing sustainable drinking water fountains in Howth and Howth.
The first water fountain was installed in Howth by the council’s operations department which has been working with Refill Ireland, an environmental project that aims to provide readily available water in public places. Another fountain is due to be installed in Malahide Demesne shortly.
Director of operations for Fingal County Council David Storey said: “Single use plastic water bottles account for a large proportion of waste and the installation of drinking water fountains will help to prevent this.
“The fountains are easy to access and use and are an environmentally friendly health and wellbeing initiative.”
Mayor of Fingal Cllr Anthony Lavin and Fingal County Councillors Cian O’Callaghan (SD), Daire Ní Laoi (SF) and Jimmy Guerin (Ind) attended the launch in Howth.
“I am delighted to see the first water fountains installed in Howth and Malahide,” said Mayor Lavin.
“Both are popular locations for cyclists, runners and walkers so this is a valuable amenity which benefits Fingal residents’ health as well as the environment.” The water fountain in Howth can be found at the junction of Harbour Road and Abbey Road while the second fountain is to be installed in Malahide Demesne.