Hyland urges Westport public to avail of town’s new water filling stations

A WESTPORT councillor has urged the public to make use of two new water stations in Westport and reduce the reliance on plastic bottles.

Mayo County Council recently installed water filling stations on Bridge Street and James Street in Westport where the public can fill their water bottles for free. The water filling stations have become popular in cities and towns around Ireland in recent years with more people using reusable water bottles as an alternative to single use plastics.

Independent Westport councillor Christy Hyland welcomed the installation of the water filling stations and urged the public to become aware of their location and to avail of them.

“By using these water stations one is helping to play their part in sending out the message that we must make a big effort in reducing the use of plastic. I would urge people to have a second thought when they go to buy their next bottle of water when all they have to do is bring their empty bottle to the water station and fill it free and so save themselves money and help stamp out the use of plastic,” he said.

Successful

CLLR Hyland said he approached the county council staff in Westport about installing the water stations after seeing how successful they are in other towns and hopes they will be rolled out across other towns in the region.

“I was going through another town a few months ago when I saw one of these water stations and I decided to examine the facility. I immediately headed back to Westport after doing my business and informed our area manager that we must commence the rollout of these water stations in our electoral area which includes many other towns like Newport, Louisburgh etc.

“I then secured the funding and went into the application phase of the process and we now have the first two water stations in Westport which I hope to follow up with more in my electoral area. The message must go out to bin the plastic. It pays to be observant when one travels throughout the country,” he concluded.