Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

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Public drinking fountains, once a common sight on city streets, fell out of favour in the late twentieth century as bottled water became cheap and widely available. Many municipalities stopped maintaining ageing fountains, citing concerns about water quality in old pipework and the cost of repairs. In recent years, however, some cities have reversed course, installing new fountains equipped with filtered, chilled water and bottle-refill spouts designed to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Public health advocates have championed the trend, noting that reliable access to free water supports hydration in low-income neighbourhoods where bottled water purchases add up quickly. Engineers designing the newest models have also added freeze-resistant valves so fountains can keep operating through winter in colder climates, a feature absent from many older designs that had to be shut off seasonally.