Three new water bottle filling stations have been installed at locations around Galway City Centre for easy public use.
The new stations are on Churchyard Street, outside Sheridan’s Cheesemongers; Dominick Street, outside the old Canal House; and outside the Eyre Square centre on Eyre Square.
These completely free filling stations join those already present in Millennium Children’s Park, Westside Park and Quincentenial Park.
Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council said that they wanted to make it easy for people to fill their water bottles around the city centre.
The filling station is activated by an infra-red sensor, so you simply have to pop your bottle under to get the water going, and remove it to stop.
“We are delighted to partner with Galway City Tidy Towns on this initiative – their members know all too well the problem with plastic bottle litter when they are doing their clean ups.”
“By making water filling stations available in parks, sports facilities and now the city centre, the public can refill and reuse their water bottles in six locations in the city – this will help to keep the city cleaner and reduce plastic waste in our bins.’’
Cllr. Eddie Hoare, Mayor of Galway City added, “Despite the plastic bag levy, Ireland is one of largest producers of plastic waste in the European Union.”
“We now generate around 3 billion plastic bottles a year. A key way to combat this waste is at source, and the new water bottle filling stations around the City are very welcome.”
“Well done to the Environment Department for installing them, and to Galway Tidy Towns for supporting this initiative”.
The water bottle filling stations are decorated with bright imagery which commemorates the sights, sound, and personalities of Galway.
Renowned Street Artist, Johnny Massacre, who sadly passed away in July 2003, is remembered on the water station in Dominick Street.
The Market Street station shows the Galway market in full swing, with the best of crafts and food and on display.
The Eyre Square station shows the Trans Express drummers at the Galway International Arts Festival in 2017 entertaining the crowds beneath them.
