The Department of Infrastructures at Orihuela Town Hall and the water supply company Veolia have put two new chilled water fountains into service within the town centre. This installation, carried out to alleviate the high temperatures experienced in the municipality, joins two other fountains that were set up last year in Orihuela centre and on the Orihuela Costa.
The new drinking water dispensers have been placed in two key locations for both residents and visitors: the upper part of the Puente Nuevo (next to the old kiosk) and in Los Andenes (at the junction with Avenida de la Vega).
The local council indicates that this initiative, carried out by many Spanish towns, forms part of the municipal commitment to provide the city with more comfortable, healthy spaces that are adapted to high temperatures.
The Councillor for Infrastructures, Víctor Valverde, pointed out that these two new locations were selected as they are “highly busy areas, used daily by numerous residents, especially people who are walking, playing sports, or accessing them from the train station.” In this regard, he noted that the new fountains will allow people to “refill bottles with fresh, quality water at strategic points in the city”, whilst advancing the Town Hall’s intention to continue expanding this network next year.
Valverde, who thanked Veolia for their collaboration, called for civic responsibility to keep these facilities in good condition. Furthermore, he highlighted the great usefulness of the fountain located next to the Puente Nuevo during the celebration of the main festive events in the city, such as Semana Santa or the Moors and Christians parades, where thousands of people will have access to a free hydration point.
For his part, the manager of Veolia, Andrés Martínez, highlighted that the water supplied by these fountains is drinking water from the public network, chilled and subjected to all health controls. In addition, he underlined its environmental and economic advantages, reminding that tap water consumption reduces the use of plastic packaging and is much more sustainable and affordable than bottled water.
Finally, the Mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, invited residents and visitors to make use of these new facilities “with responsibility and civic pride”, especially during episodes of high temperatures: “Although in the Vega Baja we are used to the heat, we must not downplay its importance. It is essential to stay hydrated even when you do not feel thirsty.”
Vegara highlighted that this action is an example of collaboration between the public body and the commercial water supply company to improve the well-being of the citizenry: “These are small gestures that often go unnoticed, but have an enormous value in improving people’s quality of life. Having a point where you can drink fresh water in the middle of summer is a simple, but very important service.”
