Just in time for the first major heat wave of the summer, the city of Phoenix, AZ, launched its Chilled Drinking Water pilot program downtown. The custom-made water stations provide taps for filling bottles with chilled water and two standard drinking taps.
The initiative aims to provide fresh water and to reduce single-use plastic bottle waste.
“Expanding public access to drinking water, especially in areas of high pedestrian traffic and public transit, is essential to keeping both our residents and visitors comfortable and safe, particularly in the summer,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said at the launch.
Nearby in blistering Tuscon, AZ, a local mutual aid group has set up Community Water Stations downtown. Each station consists of an insulated water cooler, disposable cups, and in some cases reusable water bottles. Organizers say that the first station cost just $85.
Meanwhile in Gilbert, AZ, residents are beating the heat by getting wet at a pop-up water park featuring water slides, food trucks, music, and a giant slip and slide.
More on short- and long-term strategies for coping with the heat appear in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.