Dear Editor:
Centre Wellington is holding a re-opening event to showcase the newly renovated Elora arena on Jan. 5. When residents visit the refurbished arena and lobby, please notice the shiny new drinking fountain and water bottle refill station. There is a new bottle refill station outside too.
Other refill stations have appeared over the last few years in our parks, community centres and downtown – in Hoffer Park, the Greenspace, the Elora splash pad park, the Fergus seniors centre, the Fergus sportsplex, the libraries, and more.
These refill stations are in addition to the township’s water buggy, which provides free tap water at concerts in town parks and other events that draw thousands of visitors.
The township has substantially improved access to safe, convenient and free tap water in public spaces, at everything from parks and concerts to sporting venues. This local initiative is in line with a global movement for municipalities to expand public drinking water access.
Plastic bottled water is a big environmental problem, from climate change to plastic pollution, and it is an easy problem to fix.
This community has walked the talk for environmental and groundwater protection. We appreciate that our tap water here is tested regularly so we know it’s safe.
Thank you to our staff and council for making it easy and highlighting for both residents and visitors to our community a shift from single-use to refillable bottles.
Jan Beveridge,
Elora