Contactless drinking water fountains launched in Limerick to mark World Water Day

TO Mark World Water Day, Limerick City and County Council has officially launched three public contactless drinking water fountains at locations across the city and county.

The new fountains, which are funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Authority Prevention Network Grant, are located at Lough Gur Nature Park, the Milk Market in Limerick city and at the Newcastle West Demesne.

Commenting on the initiative, Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Francis Foley said: "I am delighted that Limerick City and County Council has increased its provision of public drinking water infrastructure in Limerick City and County.  These drinking water fountains support the reduction of single use plastic bottles by making drinking water available to the public.”

The new contactless public drinking water fountains add to the existing network of fountains which were previously funded under the Healthy Ireland programme and the European Green Leaf Fund.  They are located at Merchant’s Quay Limerick; Mungret Park, the People’s Park, Abbeyfeale Square and Kilmallock Civic offices. 

Vicky Nash, Chair of the local Tidy Towns group in Newcastle West, confirmed that the drinking water fountain and the savings of single use plastic bottles will be included in the Newcastle West Tidy Towns application for 2023 under the ‘Sustainability Doing More with Less’ category.  

The local authority says five additional outdoor drinking water fountains, funded under the CLAR programme, are due to come on stream later in 2023.  This will bring the total number of public drinking water fountains in Limerick to thirteen.