Exeter Green councillors are calling on the city to 'show some bottle' and back their push for public water stations on authority-owned sites.
The councillors say Exeter needs better hydration and are pressing the city to install more public water stations, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.
Green councillors will bring a motion to the full council meeting on September 8, calling for public water stations at council-owned city centre sites before summer 2027. The Guildhall Shopping Centre is one of the locations being suggested.
The summer of 2026 in Devon was exceptionally hot, with a record-breaking dry spell that culminated in a severe, officially declared drought by August. Exeter Airport recorded 21 consecutive heatwave days in July, with temperatures continuously reaching 25 degrees or above. By late August, river flows across Devon had fallen to exceptionally low levels, and at Trews Weir on the River Exe, the Environment Agency recorded the lowest flows ever seen.
The councillors also note that seven billion plastic water bottles are sold each year, and only about half are recycled.
Cllr Helen Terry (Green, Heavitree), who has proposed the motion, said: "The recent heatwaves have shown how important it is that we ensure people keep hydrated and well. Public water stations are a simple and cost-effective solution to provide clean water without having to purchase single-use plastic bottles or asking a business for help. Access to water is a basic human right, and it would also help make our city more inclusive and welcoming."
Cllr Terry said that finding an alternative to repeatedly buying plastic bottles could also help with the cost of living. Fellow Green councillor Jack Reed (St Thomas) highlighted the environmental impact of plastic bottles.
"Every 500ml plastic water bottle uses about 125ml of crude oil for the process of making the bottle and the energy used to produce it," he explained. "Across the UK, 5.5 billion plastic bottles escape household recycling and are landfilled, littered or incinerated instead. They endanger our wildlife, pollute our environment and fuel the climate crisis. We hope councillors will show some bottle and support this motion."
Green Councillors Ask Exeter to ‘Show Some Bottle’ on Water Stations