Hydration matters, especially when travelling around new cities. But as this latest study from QS Supplies shows, finding a cool sip of water without paying for it is much easier in some places than others.
Using data from the OpenStreetMap website, QS Supplies looked at which cities and countries have the highest number of public water fountains per 100K people.
Let’s check them out.
Why public water fountains matter
Water fountains are crucial for public health. They provide accessible and clean drinking water, preventing people from dehydrating in public spaces.
They also offer a safe (and cheaper) alternative to purchasing bottled beverages, reducing plastic waste and environmental impact.
And they play a vital role during emergencies or natural disasters, serving as potential water sources for those in need. Properly maintained fountains with filtered water also minimise the risk of waterborne illnesses, contributing to a healthier and more hygienic public environment.
Countries with the most and fewest drinking fountains
You’ll never stay thirsty for long when staying in Montenegro. It has the most water fountains per person in the world. The Balkan state has an impressive 472.4 drinking fountains per 100k people.
The high number of public watering holes might be related to Montenegro’s growing status as a tourist hotspot. Having numerous drinking fountains in tourist areas ensures visitors access to safe drinking water, contributing to a positive experience and keeping them cool and hydrated on summer days. Inland regions of Montenegro, including cities like Podgorica, experience temperatures of up to 40°C during the hottest days.
Nigeria has an extremely low number of public water fountains. There are only 0.01 public drinking fountains per 100k people.
But it’s not as low as Fiji, where there is no recorded public water fountain.
Global cities with the most public water fountains
Switzerland is famous for its public utilities and urban planning. So it’s no surprise that it dominates the list of global cities with the most water fountains.
The top two spots belong to Zurich (221 fountains per 100k people) and Basel (177 fountains per 100k).
Public water fountains in the UK
Sitting on the south coast of England, Bournemouth is a popular tourist destination during the height of summer. That explains why it has the highest number of public water fountains in the UK.
Leeds has the fewest. There’s less than one fountain for 100k people in the city.
Public drinking fountains in the USA
On a state-by-state basis, Oregon has the most water fountains per 100k people in the USA, while Tennessee has the fewest.
Washington, DC, is the US city with the highest proportion of water fountains. The capital has 24.83 of them for every 100k people.
Las Vegas has just 0.62, the lowest of any US city. That’s bad. Then again, this city is all about squeezing as much cash out of visitors as possible. Some places in Sin City charge up to $12 for a bottle of water. One from a Starbucks in the Las Vegas Strip will cost you $5.