SPRINGDALE – Springdale’s first Hydration Station opened Friday as part of an effort to reduce waste from disposable water bottles.
The new hydration station ribbon-cutting was planned as part of Springdale’s Earth Day celebration, Mayor Stan Smith said.
“Plastic water bottles aren’t very recyclable, and at one time there was a push to ban all water bottles out of the town of Springdale,” Smith said.
“Instead of doing the negative route, if we promote reusable water bottles and we provide filling stations so your water’s free, that should just help encourage everybody to do it that way.”
The station is located at the Up Canyon Shuttle Stop No. 5 at Bumbleberry Inn, 97 Bumbleberry Lane.
The project was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Zion Canyon in association with the Town of Springdale, Zion Lodge, Vapur, Inc. and the Bumbleberry Inn. Springdale will take ownership of the station, handle maintenance and pay for the water, Smith said.
“We’ve been raising money for two years through our Poker Ride fundraiser that we do in May,” town manager and Rotary Club treasurer Rick Wixom said, “and we’ve had a couple of large donations from businesses in the community.”
Bumbleberry Inn and Zion Lodge and it’s employees contributed to the project, which cost just under $6,000, Wixom said. Working with Vapur, Inc., a maker of flexible, reusable water bottles, the Rotary Club was able to get a substantial discount on the station.
“We’re going to do several of these (stations),” Wixom said. “Our goal is to have one at every shuttle stop.”
Several businesses have expressed interest in hosting one of the hydration stations, as well.
“So we’re hoping to build some momentum through the town,” Wixom said.
The stations are an easy way for to reduce waste in Springdale by encouraging the use of refillable water bottles, Smith said.
“You don’t necessarily have to hug a tree to care about the Earth,” Smith said.
Students from Springdale Elementary School were the first in the community to refill their reusable water bottles at the hydration station.
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Springdale's first hydration station opened with a ribbon-cutting and lineup from Springdale Elementary students Friday. Springdale, Utah, April 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Stan Smith, St. George News
Springdale's first hydration station opened with a ribbon-cutting Friday - a filling station for reusable water bottles. Springdale, Utah, April 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Rick Wixom, St. George News
Springdale's first hydration station opened with a ribbon-cutting Friday - a filling station for reusable water bottles. Springdale, Utah, April 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Rick Wixom, St. George News
Springdale's first hydration station opened with a ribbon-cutting and lineup from Springdale Elementary students Friday. Springdale, Utah, April 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Stan Smith, St. George News
Springdale's first hydration station opened with a ribbon-cutting and lineup from Springdale Elementary students Friday. Springdale, Utah, April 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Stan Smith, St. George News
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