Free water refill station to help community get Back To Tap

A fixed water refill station has been installed in Ocean Street, Maroochydore as part of a trial to change the way people drink water in public places and help reduce plastic waste.

The Back To Tap campaign from Unitywater, supported by Sunshine Coast Council, encourages everyone to drink tap water rather than buy plastic bottled water to help keep our waterways clean and protect local marine life.

Community and Environment Portfolio holder Jenny McKay said council was thrilled to partner on the initiative.

“This is an exciting trial and Ocean Street, with its high foot traffic, is the perfect place to start,” Ms McKay said.

“Data from the refill station will inform how the station is used and allow us to explore opportunities for the installation of more stations throughout our region.”

Unitywater CEO George Theo said one of the simplest ways to prevent and reduce the consumption of plastic waste was through behavioural change.

“We’re passionate about tackling the global issue of plastic waste on a local level and that’s why we’re introducing these refill stations,” Mr Theo said.

“In 2016 we established a regional reference group to address the issue of plastic waste across our community.

“As a group, we identified that one of the easiest ways to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water bottles is by providing a reliable source of clean, fresh drinking water at key public places.

“We’re very pleased to be working with council to make it easier for people to get Back To Tap.”

Unitywater will officially launch the refill station at Nights on Ocean on Friday, March 9, giving away reusable stainless steel water bottles to marketgoers.

They will also host a Back To Tap competition from March 4-17 asking people to share a fun photo of their reusable water bottle on the Unitywater Facebook page to win an afternoon on a luxury yacht.

Image: The permanent refill station provides free, filtered water in Ocean Street, Maroochydore.