The City of Selkirk found a way to beat the heat – and treat its citizens and the environment well – on Canada Day with its new portable hydration station.
The hydration station looks a little like a hot dog cart, but instead of serving up fast food it pours refreshing, cold water into refillable bottles. And it’s free.
On Canada Day, the city gave 2,600 City of Selkirk refillable water bottles out to people in the crowd and in total 3, 819 hydration-conscio us folks filled their bottles at the self-serve station.
CAO Duane Nicol said the Selkirk Water Utility produces excellent water and that’s what flows through the portable hydration station. Giving citizens the chance to refill their own bottles at events in the City of Selkirk not only keeps them hydrated, but allows them to be environmentally responsible at the same time.
Promoting Environmental Sustainability
“We are very proud of our publicly owned and operated Water Utility. Our new hydration station is yet another way that our water utility can both benefit citizens and promote environmental sustainability. At Canada Day alone, we helped keep almost four thousand plastic water bottles from entering the waste stream. That’s a real success. This is just another demonstration of our commitment to building a more sustainable community,” Nicol said.
Selkirk’s strategic plan makes environmental stewardship a priority and with the hydration station the city is improving its practices and services, encouraging more environmentally responsible behaviour and helping citizens make good choices.
The portable station was built by Selkirk Water Utility staff and it can connect to a water source, such as a fire hydrant, at outdoor events or if it’s indoors at the Rec Complex, it can connect to the water source there.
The station is lightweight so it’s easy to transport, and the unit contains a filter system and three self-serve stations, each with a chiller, so the water will be plentiful and nice and cold.
Director of Operations Dan McDermid said there was a huge crowd out for Selkirk’s Waterfront Canada Day activities and the hydration station was a big hit.
“The crowd was super happy to see the station and we received numerous compliments for a great idea,” McDermid said.
McDermid said the hydration station was a City of Selkirk initiative that is innovative and unique and he credited staff for their dedication and creativity. Their hard work has resulted in a healthy and environmentally sound service the public will enjoy for years to come.
The hydration station will be out at other events over the summer, including the Waterfront Concert Series, D.O.G. Days of Summer, the Triple S Fair and Rodeo and Parade. Bring your water bottle and fill up.
A short water survey will accompany your next water bill. Please take a few moments to complete it.
