I have always loved drinking fountains. As a child, I knew where every drinking fountain was in the neighborhood and in every store we had ever visited. At the neighborhood park every day, I would climb up and peer down inside the empty shell of the broken drinking fountain, hoping that someone had fixed it. Invariably, its concrete form was still stuffed with candy wrappers and miscellaneous garbage, so I would run to the far end of the park, to the drinking fountain that did work, for a long, glorious drink of fresh cool water.
Sources of water are inherently magical. Especially in a city, sealed in concrete, water connects us with nature, engages our senses, and physically connects us with place. Free water sources in public spaces, historically provided by philanthropists or cities themselves, were one of the major progressive steps forward for civilization. These fountains helped in preventing cholera, bringing water closer to the homes of the poor, and reducing reliance on alcohol, which was traditionally much safer to drink than filthy river water. The great fountains of Europe were magnificent water sources, including the Trevi fountain, which now suffers the sad indignation of being guarded by whistle-happy police keeping people out of the water. In 1859, the great Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association of England opened London’s first free drinking fountain to “scenes of public rejoicing;” the tasteful granite and marble design was soon providing water to over 7,000 people per day.
Today, with a new set of health challenges, drinking fountains are still a crucial element of any healthy space. Water is the healthiest substance people can put into their bodies; free, clean drinking water provided in public places provides an alternative to sugary sodas. They also reduce dependence on the environmentally degrading plastic bottles for water and sodas (millions of which are thrown away every year), and save people money: according to the Pacific Institute, “total consumer expenditures for bottled water are approximately $100 billion per year.”
Drinking fountains (also known, in regional variations, as water fountains or bubblers) are a key indicator of the relationship between people and place. Accommodating and including all of a city’s users, including children, the homeless, tourists, dogs, and daily commuters, can be measured by provision and maintenance of amenities such as the humble drinking fountain.
The mere act of providing a drinking fountain in the first place is a major step in the right direction. But for those seeking to go above and beyond in the observation or installation of drinking fountains, their greatness can be roughly expressed in the following terms:
- Aesthetics (beauty, uniqueness, color, maintenance)
- Taste (delicious vs. disgusting)
- Temperature (too hot, too cold, just right)
- Flow (dribbley, hits you in the face, pleasing arc)
- Functionality (drainage, relationship with context, placement)
- Ergonomic Comfort (buttons, pedals, height, texture)
- Inclusiveness (public, ADA-accessible, reachable by kids, dog bowl)
So keep your eyes out for these little champions of public space, and next time you encounter one, drink to your health!
Here are some of my favorite drinking fountains from across several parks:
What are your favorite drinking fountains?
This is the first in a forthcoming series about the importance of small urban elements that can have an outsized impact, enhancing people’s lives or modifying users’ behavior in surprising ways. Considering these elements during design processes can considerably enrich a project, and can have far-reaching positive consequences.
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