Looking at the public restroom and the water fountain (seen directly to the left of the restroom) at the intersection of East Fourth and Trinity Streets in downtown Austin. Photo by James Rambin
Using a public drinking fountain is just about the last thing anybody wants to think about in the midst of a viral pandemic, but Austin’s increasingly hot weather makes a pretty good case for their existence on a longer-term scale — along with well-serviced public restrooms, they’re essential tools for building more equitable public spaces.
Image: Austin Water
Unless you were forced to rely on them for your drinking water, you might not realize just how few public, outdoor drinking fountains are available in the downtown area proper — they’re largely located in parks, but even then you’ll have a hard time finding one. A recent survey by Austin Water showed 29 municipal outdoor drinking fountains in the central area of the city, but only six installed in the 78701 ZIP code — and only three of those are wheelchair-accessible.
Just like public restrooms, it’s not the most glamorous element of city life, but we’re glad to see the City of Austin taking note — a City Council resolution from last year recommended the installation of 10 public water fountains in the downtown area, and two of those fountains have now been installed at the intersections of East Fourth and Trinity Streets, and East Sixth and Brazos Streets — next to the “Portland Loo” public restrooms also opened last year.
Looking at the East Fourth and Trinity Street fountain. Photo by James Rambin
News coverage of the project focused almost entirely on the city’s estimated cost for installing the fountains, between $70,000 and $75,000 per station — expensive but not outrageous if you’re familiar with the municipal procurement process and the added costs of installation and ongoing maintenance, and the program’s two existing sites are designed to address more needs than your average water fountain. They’re located in well-lit areas for 24/7 operation, ADA-compliant — a big concern for wheelchair users — and include a bottle filling station along with a downright charming little fountain and bowl at the bottom for pets.
Another look at the Fourth and Trinity Street fountain, with the new public restroom in the background. Photo by James Rambin
This sort of modern design, though costlier, is important for projecting an image of safety to ensure people actually use the facilities — as many critics of the program’s cost pointed out, people don’t trust water fountains, so a better-looking and frequently-cleaned unit will likely see more traffic even if it represents a higher overall price tag. It’s especially important during a pandemic.
Now that the two existing stations have had some time to draw your attention, assuming you’re still going outside during this time of social distancing, the Downtown Austin Alliance would like to hear your feedback on their function and the installation of the remaining 8 stations, which is expected over the next year. Click here to fill out their survey, which is open until November 30 — plenty of time to hike down and give these new facilities a try. Just pack hand sanitizer.
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