New Coastal Water Fountain unveiled on Ha’penny Pier, Harwich

07 August 2024

 

Free, fresh water can now be enjoyed by everyone thanks to a new water fountain that has been installed on Ha’penny Pier by Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) and funded by Sea-Changers and Bunzl plc. Ongoing costs for water and maintenance will be funded by HHA.

Located at the front of the pier next to the shower units, the installation supports HHA’s drive to reduce the amount of single-use plastic that end up in landfill, seas and oceans.  With the lifespan of a plastic bottle in the marine environment estimated to be 450 years, slowly fragmenting into smaller and smaller pieces, reusing water bottles and disposing of plastic responsibly is crucial to protect sea life.

“We are delighted to support the installation of a Coastal Water Fountain at Ha’penny Pier,” says Helen Webb, Sea-Changers co-founder.

“Our Coastal Fountain Fund aims to tackle the increasing problem of single-use plastic bottles, left behind along the coast as marine litter, which damage sensitive marine environments and harm the species that live there. Since we started the Coastal Fountain Fund we have funded 39 bottle refill fountains around the UK coast.

“We hope this fountain will significantly reduce the numbers of non-reusable plastic drinks bottles found in and around Harwich Harbour and protect nearby areas of environmental importance. Well done to all involved in the installation.”

“The fountain has been very well received and is in constant use already, “ says Sarah West, CEO, Harwich Haven Authority.

“We have been working hard to reduce the amount of single use plastic that we use across our business, and we’re delighted that members of the local community, and visitors, now have a more sustainable option of refilling instead of buying new bottles of water.”

Councillor Ivan Henderson commented: “What a great initiative, and a first for Harwich I believe. In addition to encouraging people to move away from single-use plastic, its accessible location makes it perfect for encouraging people to keep hydrated during this hot spell of weather we’ve been experiencing.”

Picture caption: Councillor Ivan Henderson and Councillor Jo Henderson (pictured right) filling up their water bottles from the new Ha’penny Pier water fountain. They are joined by Harwich Haven Authority’s Environment Officer, Bonnie Caleno (pictured centre).