New drinking water refill station

Ardcroney Group Water Scheme (AGWS) has recently installed a free drinking water refill station for community use.

Strategically located in Ardcroney village, between the national school and the community field, the touchless-operated refill station allows passers-by to refill water bottles, thereby reducing dependency on single-use plastics. As well as addressing climate action, the initiative also helps to provide greater public access to drinking water, in line with the objectives of the current programme for government and revised Drinking Water Directive.

Funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the AGWS refill station is part of a wider national project which saw the installation of similar stations in 19 other group water schemes nationwide at the start of 2024.

The AGWS is community-owned and community-operated, serving 289 households and businesses.

The installation of the refill station is just one aspect of the AGWS’s participation in the project.

As part of this project, AGWS will be providing reusable water bottles to every student in Ardcroney National School.

Group Water Scheme Manager, Eleanor Maher, said: “We are grateful and proud to be able to provide this amenity to the local community. It is a win-win for everyone as it helps to reduce plastic waste, encourages community participation, and raises awareness of our local Group Water Scheme.”

NFGWS senior development co-ordinator, Joe Gallagher, explained why the overall initiative is so important. “Over the last two years, many group water schemes have been installing drinking water refill stations as part of government-funded NFGWS projects. We have been thrilled by the levels of goodwill and gratitude from both participating GWSs and their members. These refill stations not only give great access to drinking water but also helps achieve our climate action efforts.”