News / Bristol Water
College Green water fountain vandalised months after being installed
A public drinking water fountain on College Green has been ripped out of the ground just months after being installed.
The refill point was erected in memory of the late Ali Jennings, who was head of communications at Bristol Water and pioneered the project to install free-to-access water points around the city.
The vandalism happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving a large jet of water spurting out before the firm turned off the water supply.
is needed now More than ever
Ali Jennings’ were among those at the fountain’s launch on National Refill Day in June
“We are deeply saddened that our College Green water fountain has been damaged,” said Ben Newby, chief customer officer at Bristol Water.
“It was installed in loving memory of our late head of communications, Ali Jennings, who kick-started the project and was incredibly passionate about finding ways to improve Bristol.”
He added: “Collectively, our fountains are having a really positive impact. Each fountain is fitted with a water meter so we know that the College Green fountain had been used around 12,000 times already.
“We’ve received lots of positive messages on social media and installed our first two fountains back in 2015 on Millennium Square and Queen Square. These fountains have never been damaged in this way during the four years they’ve been there.
“It’s a shame, particularly for the homeless community who have told us how much easier it has made it to access water.
“We just hope that a small minority won’t ruin it for the majority.”
The fountain was part of a series of drinking fountains installed around Bristol, with others near the Christmas Steps and Wine Street. By the end of next month, ten such fountains will have been installed.
Bristol Water say they are currently assessing what damage has been made, but hope to get the fountain back up-and-running shortly.
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