Filtered water fountains

Reducing plastic drop by drop

The filtered water fountains installed on the island have a clear goal: reduce the purchase of single-use plastic water bottles. This is a highly demanded product during the high season months, when the heat is more intense and the island’s population almost triples.

Offering visitors and residents the possibility of using refillable and reusable bottles is an action that connects us with a not-so-distant past, when reusable products were much more present in our daily lives.

Filtered water fountains installed

+ 400,000

0.5-litre plastic bottles dispensed

How did the idea of installing filtered water fountains come about?

The installation of filtered water fountains arose during the development of the Action Plan for the Reduction of Plastic Pollution in Menorca, developed in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021.

This plan dedicated a specific section to the tourism sector and, through a participatory process with industry stakeholders, identified as a priority action the provision of water fountains for visitors to refill their bottles, since the offer at that time was anecdotal and located outside the busiest areas.

What impact does this initiative have?

The impact of this initiative is the reduction of single-use plastic bottles, promoting the culture of reusable and refillable products, especially among people visiting the island.

During the summer, when the highest number of tourists is recorded, the need to stay hydrated is constant. Without a public water service, people are forced to buy single-use plastic bottles, which increases the generation of plastic waste on the island.

On the other hand, during the low season (from November to April) visitors have other motivations to explore the island, more related to activities such as hiking, with the Camí de Cavalls being the main attraction. In these months, most tourist areas remain practically inactive, and finding a place (supermarket, bar) to buy supplies is difficult. Thus, the water fountains we have installed in different sections of the Camí de Cavalls also serve this purpose, providing water points during the low season.

Who else participates in this project?

Eleven of the fountains were purchased by Plastic Free Menorca and another two by Leader Illa de Menorca, the “driving force” of the alliance.

The 13 fountains have been donated to the municipalities of Ciutadella, Ferreries, Es Mercadal, Es Migjorn Gran, Alaior, Es Castell and Sant Lluís, as well as to the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands. These entities have been responsible for installing the fountains and are in charge of their maintenance and monitoring.

How is the impact of this initiative measured?

Based on the litres dispensed at the fountains, as provided by the municipalities and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, it is estimated that 25% of the volume was not used correctly (filling bottles for drinking water) and was lost (removing the bottle too early).

The reduction in the generation of plastic water bottles as waste is estimated taking into account the “corrected” litres.

Note: We do not have up-to-date data for all fountains.

Where are the fountains installed?

The fountains are installed in:

- Sant Tomàs, Es Migjorn Gran

- Children’s playground, Es Migjorn Gran

- Punta Prima, Sant Lluís

- Binibèquer, Sant Lluís

- Town centre of Es Castell

- Town centre of Ferreries

- Town centre of Es Mercadal

- Bus station Via Perimetral, Ciutadella

- Passeig Marítim, Ciutadella

- Alaior Sports Centre (funded by Leader Illa Menorca)

Currently, the 3 fountains installed in the Port of Maó have been temporarily removed until the water quality in this area is confirmed to be adequate.