Minister Dillon welcomes expanded roll-out of public drinking water fountains
Increased access to free drinking water helps reduce waste, prevent litter, and promote more sustainable consumption habits in communities across the country.
Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, has welcomed the planned installation of up to 84 new public drinking water fountains by the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) under the Public Drinking Water Fountain Scheme.
This is an important contribution towards the Government's commitment to improve public access to free drinking water and encourage the use of reusable water bottles. To date in 2026, a significant number of schemes have applied for grant aid to install drinking fountains, with a target of 84 by the end of 2026. The schemes that have applied so far cover 19 counties across Ireland.
Speaking about the schemes, Minister Dillon said: “Drinking fountains are a vitally important part of reducing waste by providing the public with the option to refill their reusable bottles at convenient locations across the country. They are also a real asset to local communities, not only creating a civic amenity, but reducing plastic bottle waste in our towns, on our beaches, and across our countryside. This expansion builds on the hugely successful existing scheme, which saw 43 fountains installed last year and I look forward to its continued growth across Ireland.”
Across the country, County Mayo has the second highest number of water fountains with seven while Galway has the most with 11.
The Public Drinking Water Fountain Scheme supports Ireland's transition to a circular economy, by making it easier for people to choose refillable alternatives to single-use plastic bottles. Increased access to free drinking water helps reduce waste, prevent litter, and promote more sustainable consumption habits in communities across the country.
Supported by €610,000 from the Circular Economy Fund, the scheme is helping to put practical circular economy principles into action while supporting national efforts to reduce plastic waste and improve resource efficiency. The Department acknowledges the work of the NFGWS and its partners in delivering these installations and looks forward to the continued rollout of drinking water infrastructure that will benefit communities and the environment alike.