Call to bring back water fountains in Norwich gets support - but hygiene concerns raised

PUBLISHED: 22:28 20 March 2018 | UPDATED: 22:32 20 March 2018

The Green Party proposed a motion to bring back water fountains across the city. Norwich city councillors Lesley Grahame and Simeon Jackson by one of the original fountains in Norwich. Byline: Sonya Duncan.

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But councillors have expressed concern about hygiene and the cost of installing, maintaining and quality testing the fountains.

The opposition Green group called for the council to work with the Business Improvement District and Anglian Water to develop a plan for the funding, installation and maintenance of the fountains.

Labour amended the motion, so that its cabinet would consider doing that and it was unanimously agreed at a Norwich City Council meeting tonight.

However Labour’s Kevin Maguire raised concerns over hygiene and what it would cost to carry out samples of the water to ensure it was safe.

But Green Simeon Jackson said good design would reduce infection risk.

He said: “I think we’ve got to a point where we don’t need to worry about that any more.”