Anglesey County Council given funding to introduce new water refilling stations across the island.
Recently, the Isle of Anglesey County Council in partnership with Welsh Government have agreed to work together to install water refilling stations in communities close to the island’s coastal path, enabling walkers to stay hydrated, save money and prevent plastic pollution.
Anglesey Council’s Major Projects and Economic Development Portfolio holder, Cllr Carwyn Jones, said, "We are passionate about our beautiful Island and this initiative is great news for all of us. Not only does this provide a free source of water to keep us hydrated while we are out enjoying the countryside and coastline, it is also another positive step in our campaign to reduce the use of single use plastics."
"We have 135 miles of beautiful coastline which is enjoyed by thousands of visitors and residents walking along it every year. Plastics and other rubbish can have such a detrimental effect on the environment and wildlife and by working together we can make a difference"
Through joint working with Natural Resources Wales, two stations have already been installed at a couple of the island’s top beauty spots, Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and Newborough National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Forest. Giving walkers the opportunity to refill their water bottles, completely free of charge.
The sites can be found outside the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s café and outside the toilet block at Breakwater Country Park and not far from the toilet block at Newborough Forest. They have also been added to the Refill App, ‘put your tap on the map’, which shows more than 20,000 businesses in Britain where people can refill water bottles and the new sites will be added to the Refill App ‘put your tap on the map’.
Anglesey County Council’s Countryside and AONB Officer, Alun M Owen, said, “The new stations will play a vital role in the island’s drive to reduce the use of single use plastics. However, we’re not just protecting our environment with this new scheme; we’re also being economical in our approach with water for the stations being sourced just a few miles away from Llyn Alaw Reservoir.”
“Bottled water is expensive – more than two thousand times more expensive than tap water, and roughly, thirty-five million plastic bottles are sold every day in the UK; with one plastic bottle taking 450 years to decompose. Although a small change locally, this initiative will contribute to the global effort to reduce plastic pollution and cut down on waste.”
The authority aims to install the water dispensers at strategic locations, combined with information boards to highlight the benefits of drinking local tap water and encourage the use of refillable bottles throughout 2020.
If you are a Town or Community Council interested in installing a water refilling station, please contact AONB Project Officer, Wiliam Stockwell on (01248) 752471 or email WiliamStockwell2@ynysmon.llyw.cymru.
ENDS: 30.01.2020