New Water Drinking Fountains Downtown

While downtown, you may notice something new sparkling in the sun. Thanks to a partnership between the City of Eugene's Waste Prevention Program and Facilities Management Division, upgraded water fountains have made their debut in the East and West Park Blocks and near Kesey Square. These stainless-steel fountains offer three-in-one functionality of a drinking bubbler, a water bottle refill station, and dog bowl.

The new installations promote reuse and cutting back on single-use plastics. "We were definitely in need of a change," said Russell Nute from the City of Eugene's Facilities Management Division, who led the project on the installation side. "These units are a major upgrade. Not only do they look so much better, but they function at a much higher level."

Nute has also mentioned he's received positive feedback not only from community members but from their dogs as well. "I think it's incredibly important to have equipment that brings enhanced visibility and function for our community members," Nute adds. "I want people to feel a sense of 'We Care' when they come into our downtown core, and I feel these new water fountains do just that."

The older units downtown were difficult to maintain, often prone to vandalism, and increasingly hard to find parts for. In response, the City implemented these new water fountains that not only address the issues but support a broader effort to reduce waste. In alignment with studies conducted by Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality, the new water fountains demonstrate how the way we access drinking water can positively impact the environment.

The downtown water refill stations not only reduce waste (providing free water, not needing to buy water), but they also make it easier for everyone to choose to "reuse" (allowing people to reuse their own bottles). The role of waste prevention in reducing environmental impacts underscores the importance of the "waste prevention hierarchy": reduce first, reuse second, and recycle last.

So next time you're downtown, bring your bottle and pup over to the new water fountains. It's a small upgrade, but it's just one more way Eugene is working to support the Strategic Plan goals to increase vibrancy, vitality and livability downtown and to advance climate action and community resiliency.

The City of Eugene's Waste Prevention Program and Facilities Management Division would like to thank city plumber Eric Tucker and Paolo Flocchini for their help on behind-the-scenes work and metal fabrication touches that really brought these fountains to life.