drinking fountain bottle refill

Here's the status of drinking fountains and bottle refill stations in Toronto

It's a scorcher out there in Toronto right now and some are wondering what's going on with drinking fountains and bottle refill stations.

With over 600 public-use drinking fountains stations around the city, Toronto is well-equipped to offer residents a way to rehydrate almost anywhere they are.

But given the current health crisis, many of them are not presently in operation.

Except for ones attached to public washrooms in parks that began reopening on June 6, the rest are not in use for the time being.

"Toronto Public Health guidelines require public washrooms (and fountains) to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected twice a day," City of Toronto Chief Communications Officer Brad Ross told blogTO.

"With more than 600 standalone drinking fountains across the city, there just aren't enough resources available to complete such a task."

Ross said that even under normal, non-pandemic circumstances, the fountains aren't cleaned. But for now, ones attached to public washrooms are cleaned and functioning, "as they are part of the washroom cleaning regimen."

Bottle filling stations attached to public washrooms are operational as well, and more are in the process of becoming functional.

Toronto is currently experiencing a harsh heat wave, with temperatures expected to reaching the mid-30s and feeling more like 40 C for at least three days straight this week.

According to the forecast for the rest of the summer, Toronto can expect "extended periods of hot, sunny, and dry weather" with the occasional storm to offer periods of cool relief.

"[The] advice to those heading out is: bring water from home," said Ross.

Lead photo by

Loser No. 27


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Ontario might see rainy and unpleasant weather for 2024 Victoria Day weekend

Yet another shocking GTA shopping mall jewellery store robbery caught on video

Toronto neighbourhood is getting a stunning new boardwalk near a ravine

Canada will have best chance to see Northern Lights this weekend in almost 20 years

Metrolinx shows off basically complete Toronto LRT that you still aren't allowed to ride

A 'zombie' virus is running rampant among Toronto raccoons

An invasive insect is threatening the destruction of Ontario forests

Ontario ranked the angriest province in all of Canada and no one is surprised