Third water fountain installed on Exmouth seafront

Free, fresh water can be enjoyed by all, thanks to a new water fountain on Exmouth seafront.

The fountain, near the toilet block at Foxholes carpark, has been installed in hopes it will help cut the use of single-use plastic and reduce litter in the town.

The project received funding from the national charity, Sea-Changers, in partnership with Plastic Free Exmouth and the installation work was carried out by Sideshore and Exmouth Town Council.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) will be responsible for the maintenance of the fountain, its health and safety and covering the water bill.

Councillor Marianne Rixson, EDDC’s portfolio holder for climate action and emergency response, said:  “This new water fountain is the result of excellent collaboration between a charity, a local community group and local government at Exmouth and East Devon.  It is the third water fountain in Exmouth and was installed free of charge.

“This fountain will provide clean drinking water for many years to come and will help to reduce the amount of plastic bottles in our environment.”

Councillor Tim Dumper,  from Exmouth Town Council, added:  "The Foxholes water fountain is the latest in a programme led by Exmouth Town Council. Congratulations to Plastic Free Exmouth for work on securing the grant, and thanks to East Devon District Council for their support. We hope local people and holidaymakers will make good use of the facility and that the amount of throwaway plastic bottles will be reduced."

Lucy Oaks Ash, co-chair of Plastic Free Exmouth, added: “We are extremely grateful to Sea Changers for the grant that paid for this fountain, and to the council for bringing it to fruition. It will help enable the people of Exmouth and our visitors to move away from single-use plastic by the simple act of refilling their water bottles, reducing plastic waste and their carbon footprint too.

“This is a perfect example of how our community, businesses and the council are pulling together to help the fight against unnecessary single-use plastic.”

Simon Findel Hawkins, Sideshore’s venue manager, said: “Sideshore’s Community Interest Company has helped fund the installation of the new water fountain to encourage more visitors to Exmouth beach to carry reusable water bottles, thereby eradicating single-use plastic which is detrimental to the environment.”

To use the water fountain, simply push the bottom on the front of the unit.

Local residents and visitors can download the refill app to find other places where a water bottle can be filled up including shops, restaurants and cafes free of charge: Download Refill app here.