"Access to water for all is essential": six new fountains soon to be installed in the Lyon metropolitan area

In the 8th arrondissement, passersby line up to test the new water fountain installed on one side of the Place du 18 juin 1945. This is one of six fountains currently being tested and expected to be installed across the metropolitan area by the end of the summer. Unlike their green predecessors, these new large white water fountains have three functions: a first jet allowing you to drink directly from the fountain, a second to fill your bottle, and a mist to cool off during periods of extreme heat.

These six new water fountains, located in Jean Macé, Gorge de Loup, Etats-Unis, Cusset, Charpennes, and on Place de la Paix in Villeurbanne, aim to complement the existing network of 800 water points in the metropolitan area. The goal: to make water accessible to all and to cool urban environments in an increasingly frequent heatwave.

For Eau du Grand Lyon, the drinking water service of the Lyon Metropolitan Area, the commissioning of these six new terminals constitutes the first step in an important public policy: the right to water. "Today, 3,000 people live on the streets and 22,000 are in precarious situations and do not necessarily have access to water in our region," recalls Anne Grosperrin, Vice President of the Lyon Metropolitan Area and President of the Greater Lyon Water Authority.

"These fountains provide access to water for everyone, but they also help us adapt to extreme heat," adds Gauthier Chapuis, deputy mayor of Lyon, responsible for water. In an increasingly frequent heatwave, these new fountains aim to refresh exposed urban spaces by creating islands of coolness and providing fresh water to passersby.

And to make these new terminals more economical than their predecessors, they are equipped with a stop button, allowing their water consumption to be regulated. As for the lost water, it is collected by a small grid, before being released into the natural environment: "The water is not wasted, it is introduced into the earth and feeds the soil," explains the teams of the Water of Greater Lyon.

In the interest of efficiency, these six fountains were not placed randomly. In consultation with the City of Lyon and the City of Villeurbanne, the Greater Lyon Water Authority chose sites "with a need." Among the selection criteria: locations close to transport, areas with limited water supply, and previously identified heat islands.

Ultimately, the data collected by each connected terminal will enable a diagnosis to be made. This diagnosis will then help identify the various problems and their solutions for fairer access to water in the metropolitan area.

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