Gateshead’s MIW Water Cooler Experts has won a contract to provide drinking fountains to the people of London.
MIW will be rolling out 100 outdoor water fountains around the capital in an effort to cut down on the number of plastic bottles being used in the city.
The initiative is part of Thames Water’s commitment to make free tap water more accessible to people and help reduce single-use plastic waste as part of its #taptasticnotplastic campaign.
MIW will place the fountains in busy locations across London and will also be tasked with servicing them. The company has pledged to maintain them for a minimum of 25 years.
Mike Winter, managing director of MIW Water Cooler Experts, said: “Thames Water supplies our capital with some of the best quality water in the world. Now busy Londoners on the move can quickly access free, great tasting, water – these latest models of outdoor fountains will refill a 500ml bottle in under seven seconds, and are specially designed to be durable and accessible making them ideal for high traffic public areas.”
The fountains are made of rust-proof, marine grade stainless steel and are vandal resistant to make sure they can survive outdoors. They also contain freeze protection technology allowing them to cope with temperatures as low as -30°C.
They have also been given an eye catching design including the Thames Water droplet.
Steve Spencer, chief operating officer at Thames Water, said: “London’s tap water is world class and we’re celebrating this by building a network of water fountains so it’s even more accessible to people on the move.
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“Tap water is incredible value for money and just as good as bottled water, but without the plastic packaging so we want people to enjoy it by using the fountains. Together we can all drive down plastic waste from single-use water bottles, helping to care for our rivers and oceans, now and for generations to come.”
MIW has installed a number of water fountains in Wembley Stadium, Borough Market, London Zoo, Wimbledon Tennis Club and Heathrow Airport. The company also worked with Thames Water to supply its pop-up style fountains at the BBC Countryfile show last summer.