Water fountains will reduce the impact of plastic

Councillors Ian Gilbert and Helen McDonald have put forward a motion to install water fountains at various points in the town to minimise the used of plastic water bottles.

It will coincide with a national drinking water scheme to encourage access to free water.

It is not known where the water fountains would be installed but the seafront has been a suggestion.

The motion said: “We note the growing concern about plastic pollution of our land and seas. We further note that discarded water bottles contribute to the large volume of waste in our public areas that the council is responsible for disposing of.

“Water UK, the industry body representing water companies, is launching a national drinking water scheme to encourage shops, cafes and businesses to provide free refill points to dispense drinking water. Some local authorities are providing public water refill points.”

The motion adds: “We believe that Southend, as a tourist destination particularly popular in hot weather, would benefit from implementing this scheme. We ask that the council work in partnership to promote the availability of water refill points in Southend and give consideration to ways to provide public access to drinking water, in order to reduce the use and disposal of plastics in our town.”

Mr Gilbert said the town should help lead the way to reducing plastic pollution.

He said: “It’s an issue that is getting a lot of publicity recently, showing the effect on wildlife of plastics in the ecosystem. Southend is a seaside town and should be at the forefront of the fight against plastic pollution in our seas.

“We could have some points around the seafront where people could refill their water bottles. It would also save tax payers having to pay so much for the disposal of plastic bottles.”

Concern has been growing worldwide over the impact of plastics on marine life.

Microplastics have been found in some of the most remote and uncharted regions of the oceans.