Water fountains abound
Community members will soon have access to more drinking water and water bottle refill stations in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar and Yarragon.
West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Baw Baw Shire Council and Gippsland Water have partnered to supply water fountains and water refill stations at key points in Baw Baw Shire towns, increasing the supply of free, clean and reliable water.
The aim of the health and wellbeing project is to encourage people to drink more water and less sugar-sweetened drinks.
WGHG health promotion officer Angela Greenall said the project would increase people’s access to and consumption of water. Although free, clean water is a basic community need, it can sometimes be hard to find in regional towns.
“Survey results from the 2014 Victorian Population Health Survey showed that 12.8 per cent of Baw Baw residents report drinking sugar-sweetened beverages on a daily basis, compared to 11.2 per cent state wide,” Angela said.
“Studies have shown that high consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of people becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes. High sugar intake is also associated with increased tooth decay, heart disease and gout.”
“Every small step we take, such as increasing water consumption, contributes to improving our health and reducing our risk of these diseases.”
Angela said they also hoped the project would encourage people to carry their own water bottles when they are out and about.
“Refilling your own water bottle helps decrease the amount of single use plastic being used as well as saving you money.”
Drinking/refill water fountains are being installed in the Trafalgar and Yarragon central business districts, Princes Way in Drouin and Victoria and Palmerston Sts in Warragul. There also will be upgrades to existing drinking fountains in Civic Park Drouin and Railway Park in Warragul.
The “Increasing access to drinking water in Baw Baw project” is supported by the state government.