Gippsland Water and Baw Baw Shire Council have installed four new drinking fountains to make free drinking water more accessible across the municipality.
The new fountains are located at Erica Recreation Reserve, Two Towns Trail in Drouin East, the Warragul BMX Track and McGregor Park in Trafalgar, taking the total number of drinking fountains in Baw Baw to 21.
Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming said the fountain at Two Towns Trail off Beverley Street in Drouin East was prompted by community feedback.
"We had several community members suggest a fountain at that location," Ms Cumming said.
"Anyone can submit a suggested fountain location request at our website anytime, which helps our teams to prioritise the most popular spots."
Ms Cumming said the partnership between Gippsland Water and Council was well established and had delivered both health and environmental benefits.
"Having access to fountains means people can make healthier choices when they're out and about, promoting the use of reusable drink bottles, which in turn reduces plastic waste to the environment.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe added that the partnership between Council and Gippsland Water helps promote a healthy community.
"We are always advocating on behalf of our community for new healthy initiatives and are grateful to Gippsland Water for this partnership, which allows everyone to keep hydrated when they're out and about in Gippsland," Cr McCabe said.
"Better yet, this initiative actually allows the community to tell us where they think the fountains are needed most.
"I hope the addition of new fountains across the Shire is another incentive for our community to head out and make the most of our wonderful local recreational facilities."
All fountains also have dog bowls attached.
Gippsland Water has donated 57 drinking fountains across its service area in the last decade.
To find your nearest drinking fountain or suggest a new location, visit www.gippswater.com.au/drinking-fountain-locations.
Image caption: Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe and Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming visit the new drinking fountain along the Two Towns Trail.
