The Suffolk County Water Authority and the Town of Southampton recently unveiled a "hydration station" at Town Hall, marking a unique collaboration aimed at reducing the waste of plastic water bottles and raising public awareness about the safe and constantly tested public water supply.
The installation of the new, reusable water bottle refilling station—commonly known as a "hydration station"—in Town Hall will offer members of the public and town employees an easy way to refill reusable water bottles. It is estimated that tens of millions of plastic water bottles are thrown out in the United States every day.
Under the arrangement, SCWA paid for the hydration station, with installation, maintenance and electricity provided by the town.
Town of Southampton Director of Municipal Works Christine Fetten, P.E., and Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman sample water from the new hydration station in Town Hall.
"We’re very proud of the water we serve and also of our reputation as a company with a strong commitment to sustainability," SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey W. Szabo said. "This collaboration with the Town of Southampton emphasizes that the commitment to sustainability is shared by town officials as well."
"With the old water fountain, people might occasionally take a quick drink or rinse out a cup, but it was very underutilized," said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. "Since the new unit went in, employees and visitors have saved over 1,100 bottles that otherwise would have been wasted."
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.