No working water fountain near you? Hamilton public health says COVID to blame
Cameron Kroetsch and his partner were out for a stroll with their pup at the Hamilton waterfront on a warm day recently when they realized the dog was thirsty.
In normal times, a water fountain would save the day. But in COVID times, the pup was out of luck. The closest water fountain was waterless.
For the second summer in a row, the city has turned off dozens of water fountains around Hamilton. This is due to COVID and the risk of it spreading as people touch buttons and put their faces close to the fountain spout, the city says.
There are a few that are up an running as 27 of the city's 100-odd fountains are bottle-filling stations, meaning neither mouth nor hand need touch - or near-touch - the station. Those ones are open.
But with hot summer days here, Kroetsch, a community advocate, worries the city is letting down its most vulnerable populations, such as people who are homeless - along with seniors, thirsty dogs and anyone else in need of a water break.
It's a really important, basic human right," Kroetsch told The Spectator.
He added that a lack of access to clean drinking water comes at a time when the city and public health experts are encouraging people to go outside, particularly if they're going to gather in groups. Not everyone has access to a backyard, so for many, such a gathering would take place in a park.
He questions why the city didn't have a better plan in place, considering this is the second summer of the pandemic.
We recognize the difficulties not turning on these types of drinking fountains is causing our community, however given their functional use involves individuals having to put their mouths close to/on these fountains, and the resulting risk of potential transmission of COVID-19, we must protect the health and safety of our community by keeping these fountains turned off at this time," said public health in a statement.
Toronto's mayor announced Monday that 200 fountains are open and parks officials have received advice from (Toronto public health) so we can reopen all fountains across Toronto ASAP," tweeted John Tory.
Will more be turned on in Hamilton any time soon? It remains unclear.
We will take advice from Hamilton public health on reopening timing, however, at this time there isn't a plan to reopen the fountains that can't be used as bottle-filling stations," said city spokesperson Jasmine Graham in an email.
Graham said that during heat alerts, the city works with social agencies to hand out bottled water to vulnerable groups. Drop-in centres also provide water to people who are homeless, she said.
Five new bottle-filling stations are also being installed this summer. New ones will be located at Beulah Park, Haywood Park, Dofasco Park at Beach Road, Keith Park and Churchill Park, Graham said.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to carry reusable water bottles and fill them up at the working stations. Many stations also have a dog bowl at the bottom.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com