Cork councillors back call more water fountains in city parks

Cork city councillors have pushed for more water fountains to be installed at parks across the city, as the executive reveals that they cost between €4,500 and €7,000 and in some areas are “prohibitively expensive”.

At Monday’s council meeting, Fianna Fáil councillor Dr John Sheehan proposed: “That Cork City Council would progress the implementation of their water station policy for parks and expedite the rollout of water stations in parks and locations throughout the city.”

A response from council said that in the past few years, the city council has installed seven drinking water fountains across The Regional Park in Ballincollig, The Community Park in Douglas, Tramore Valley Park, Meelick Park, Bishopstown Park (Murphy’s Farm), and two in Fitzgerald’s Park

Uisce Éireann consent 

The council added: “We intend expanding the rollout further next year, subject to resources, installations varying from €4,500 to €7,000 depending on the civil works necessary to get a connection. Each new connection requires Uisce Éireann consent, which could take a few months.

“However, it is not possible to have fountains in each park, the costs associated with making a connection to a water supply being prohibitively expensive. This has proved to be the case in Gerry O’Sullivan Park, Pophams Park, Clashduv Park, and the Glen River Park following site assessments.”

Mr Sheehan told The Echo that it was good they had a cost for the facilities, and that the scheme was to expand, but that the Glen River Park in particular could really benefit from one of these fountains.

Northside

“They have seven fountains already in six places, but there’s only one in the northside of the city — really these should be in all parts of the city.

“We get a lot of rain, but also occasional sunshine, and one has to remain optimistic. In many countries, including our own, we’re encouraging people to refill their own reusable bottles — but in order to do that, you need water stations.

“The Glen River Park does weekly park runs on Saturday, so it would be hugely needed there — we’ve got the costing, and as a councillor I will be working to ensure we get these fountains in all parks.”

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, Independent Paudie Dineen, and Fine Gael’s Des Cahill all spoke in favour of providing more water stations across Cork city. 

The motion passed unanimously.