Photo source: City of Medicine Hat website
Last summer the City of Medicine Hat launched a pilot project which attached water bottle filling stations to the City’s fire hydrates to help residence stay hydrated during the summer. After a public interest poll conducted by the City showed 90 per cent of respondents wanted to see the program continue for future summers. The program produced the equivalent of 118,000 one-litres bottles of water.
To ensure the water was clean and safe the drink, the fountains connected to the fire hydrants are being tested with samples being taken to the Provincial Lab. Results of the samples taken are expected early next week with units placed in use for the public once the results come back clear. All the water in the City’s fire hydrants are all treated, potable drinking water which is distributed to businesses and household which undergo rigorous testing to make sure the water is safe to drink.
The cost of the each unit is approximately $1,300 with the new units have used parted from regular City Assets. The total cost of the water supply program which included the water used for flushing and testing comes to roughly $550 which will be absorbed in the City’s Assets operating budget and the cost will not impact any resident rates or frees.
The City has approved ten locations in the following public areas:
- Big Marble Go Centre at 2000 Division Avenue NW
- Jeffries Trail near 602 4 Avenue NE
- East edge of Parkview Close NE
- City Hall at 580 First Street SE
- Towne Square at 603 First Street SE
- Strathcona Island Park near the Heritage Pavilion
- Carry Drive Trail near 78 Carter Crescent SE
- Saamis Rotary Park
- South Ridge Trail near 4803 Southlands Drive SE (by Masterpiece Southland Meadows)
- South Boundary Road SE behind Home Depot
Residents of Medicine Hat can easily locate the stations which are indicated as blue water drops on the City’s iMap
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