GlobalTap Update

Ernest Beck

GlobalTap's new water dispensers include a wall model and one with drinking fountain.

A year ago, San Franciscans were introduced to a new way of refilling their water bottles while on the go — a sleek, IDEO-designed steel station created by a for-profit social enterprise called GlobalTap. Over the past year, the launch phase of GlobalTap expanded in the socially conscious city to include stations in the Marina Green park, the University of California at San Francisco, the California Academy of Sciences and two terminals at San Francisco Airport. Designs were updated with customized colors, a wall version with adjustable height aimed at schools, and one with an attached drinking fountain. “We are learning by doing in the pilot phase, and now it’s time to scale up,” says GlobalTap founder Daniel Whitman, noting that Toronto and some European cities are in talks to install the stations. He believes that students could become major drivers for the project, as part of new efforts to curb youth obesity and cut down on sugary drinks in schools. Talks are also underway in Ghana and Trinidad to fund clean water projects with revenue from the sale of the refilling stations to institutions in North America and Europe, Whitman adds.

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They look somewhat similar to the basic, all-duty, stainless steep water fountains from my grade school days in Australia. Why more of them aren't found in public spaces throughout the world is an intriguing mystery, one that I would imagine involves the power of the bottled water industry, public security threats and other complex aspects of modernity.

Mark Hiew
02.18.11 at 12:12

Functional and easy on the eye. I'm not sure why more cities around the world don't have community water points - the bottled water industry and cash strapped local authorities could have something to do with it. I came across this 'soundbite' on facebook that seemed somehow relevant:

"Pulled into the services on the M62 today and my mate come back to the car and say's '£1.42 a litre of petrol it's f**king highway robbery'.
He then takes a drink from his £1.60 bottle of water?

Kevin Blackburn
04.20.11 at 12:05

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ernest Beck is a New York-based freelance writer and editor.
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GlobalTap Update

Comments (2) | JUMP TO MOST RECENT >>

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