In Paris, public fountain serves up sparkling water

[marmar]

from Springwise.com:





The French are among the world's top consumers of bottled water, taking in an average of 128 litres each in 2009, according to a recent report on Reuters. Presumably with the resulting 262,000 tonnes of plastic waste in mind, Eau de Paris — the city's public water company — recently set up a new water fountain that dispenses sparkling water.

Located in Jardin de Reuilly, a park in eastern Paris, the new fountain injects city tap water with carbon dioxide and then chills it to a pleasing temperature. Underground springs feed the city half of its public water, while the other half is pumped and treated from the rivers Seine and Marne. At the new fountain — which is modeled after similar ones in Italy, the agency says — consumers can now get both still and bubbly versions. "Our aim is to boost the image of Paris tap water," Philippe Burguiere, spokesman for Eau de Paris, told Reuters. “We want to show that we're proud of it, that it's totally safe, and that it's ecological as there's no oil involved, no waste and no packaging.”

Cities can run recycling programs until they're blue in the proverbial face, but it would be hard for such efforts to beat a program that virtually eliminates the need for all those plastic bottles in the first place. Other cities around the globe: be inspired!


http://www.springwise.com/eco_sustainability/eaudeparis/

[xchrom]

1. sigh. nt

[blogslut]

2. Le sigh

:hi:

[tavalon]

3. I refill my steel container at any tap locally

I'm less likely to do that when I'm traveling because I have IBS and unfamiliar water almost always gives me fits.

[Tesha]

4. Froggin', err, friggin' Socialists! (;-)) (NT)

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. But do they still not have any restrooms for you to use after you drink that water?

LOL

[Lubernaut]

6. en fait

there are a lot of public restrooms in Paris these days, and they're gratos ! :) and if you don't find one there's always MacDo...

[Laughing Mirror]

7. You obviously have never been to Paris

Les sanisettes are everywhere. Here's a list by arrondissement, should you decide to check it out for yourself.

http://www.paris.fr/portail/pratique/Portal.lut?page_id=8938&document_type_id=4&document_id=59613&portlet_id=21141

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Oh, but making xenophobic jokes about French people's hygiene is SO much fun.

Why let facts get in the way?

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. My sister was there recently

She said unless you're a paying customer, you can't use the restroom in restaurants and they could not find any public restrooms.

[Laughing Mirror]

11. Public restrooms are everywhere in Paris

Especially in central touristy areas where I assume your sister was. If she couldn't find these facilities, even one of them, which are everywhere, then she'll just have to hold it, I guess.

Americans, as a whole, are the dumbest tourists I've ever run across.

[shanti]

9. how wonderful!

sparkling water from a tap...i'm sure we'll never have it here in the u.s. though....