Yarra Valley Water’s campaign to encourage Victorians to drink tap water rather than purchasing the bottled alternative has saved close to 750,000 plastic bottles from landfill.
The ‘Choose Tap’ program was introduced to help raise awareness about the health and environmental benefits of drinking tap water.
With today marking World Environment Day, Yarra Valley Water – the major partner of the NFL’s ‘Choose Tap’ Netball competition – is congratulating the community for filling up on tap water from 18 of its Choose Tap Water Refill Stations.
As well as saving plastic bottles from landfill, customers have saved up to $480,000 by drinking quality tap water instead of purchasing the equivalent amount of plastic bottled water. When applied to 600ml bottles, this figure rises to $988,600 – almost one million dollars.
The water refill stations are located around Yarra Valley Water’s service area as part of the utility’s ‘Choose Tap’ program, which engages the community on drinking tap water as an important element of a healthy lifestyle, and as a much cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative to expensive bottled water and other plastic packaged drinks.
Amongst the top municipalities for using Choose Tap Water Refill Stations are Darebin residents visiting Edwardes Lake Park, who consumed 31,210 litres over 18 months, saving 89,170 plastic drinking bottles in total or 196 bottles per day.
The Choose Tap Water Refill stations are a joint partnership between Yarra Valley Water and local councils. They can be found at recreational spaces such as ovals and walking trails, shopping precincts, hospitals, universities and TAFES, providing the community with a free, convenient and environmentally friendly way to stay healthy and hydrated.
“While staying hydrated is crucial for optimal health, World Environment Day is the ideal time to kick your habit of buying expensive bottled water and adding to landfill, and enjoying the quality water on tap for free in Melbourne,” says Mr Tony Kelly, Managing Director Yarra Valley Water.
“Our Choose Tap Water Refill Stations make this choice even easier and more convenient.”
Customers can find their nearest Choose Tap Water Refill station by downloading Yarra Valley Water’s free ‘Choose Tap’ android and smartphone app or by visiting 
www.yvw.com.au.
