Could drinking fountains be making a splash once more?
Public drinking fountains seem to be gaining ground again, giving urban denizens more options for quenching their thirst free of charge. But considering the country's experience in the past, are people ready for them?
Staffan Heldner, a gardener who works in Örnsköldsvik, in the north of Sweden, wrote to his municipality a couple of years ago suggesting they purchase some drinking fountains. Now, Radio Sweden finds out what happened to that proposal, and what the municipality had to consider in deciding whether to grant Heldner's request.
Heldner is not alone in wanting to see more public drinking fountains. Politicians or ordinary citizens have called for these watering holes in other places as well, and the tide may gradually be turning in favor of drinking fountains once again.
Brett Ascarelli
