20 May 2010
St Paul’s fountain springs to life for first time in 30
years
The first fully certified drinking fountain in London for 30
years switches on at 11am on Friday 21 May. The fountain is
alongside St Paul’s Churchyard, near the City Information Centre
and opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. It will be unveiled by Robert
Duffield Chairman of the City Corporation’s Port Health and
Environmental Services Committee.
The drinking fountain is designed to refill water bottles and will
provide a welcome facility in the summer months to workers,
residents and visitors to the City. It has been installed with the
approval of Thames Water, the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme and
the Drinking Water Inspectorate. There is a thorough maintenance
programme which includes daily cleansing and regular tests to
ensure the water is of the highest quality.
This is a trial installation as part of a proposed scheme to
introduce new drinking water fountains around the Square Mile and
restore the City’s historic drinking fountains. Depending on
the success and use of the fountain it could lead to a roll out of
similar drinking fountains across the City during 2011.
Robert Duffield, Chairman, Port Health and Environmental Services
Committee, City of London Corporation said:
“The fountain represents the City of London Corporation’s
commitment towards reducing waste by providing an opportunity to
refill empty bottled water containers instead of simply throwing
them away. It is a free amenity for workers, residents and visitors
being unveiled at a particularly vital time: ahead of the summer
season.”
The project is part of the ongoing streetscene improvement work
around the Carter Lane / St Paul’s area which also includes the
installation of the restored nine metre high St Lawrence Fountain
later this summer. In addition it complements the nearby Cheapside
Initiative, which supports the development of Cheapside as a
premiere retail and leisure destination and is anticipated to
attract more shoppers and visitors to the area.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. PRESS ENQUIRIES
Sanjay Odedra, Press Officer, City of London Corporation
Tel: 020 7332 1835
Email:
sanjay.odedra@cityoflondon.gov.uk
2. ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse
organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world
leader in international finance and business services and provides
local services and policing for those working in, living in and
visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to
London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and
the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library
and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan Archive; a range of
education provision (including three City Academies); five Thames
bridges (including Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the
Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open
spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three
wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port Health
Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow.
It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the
regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which
it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.
3. ABOUT THE ST LAWRENCE FOUNTAIN
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/stlawrencefountain