Refreshment against the heat: New drinking fountain opened in Spandau!

Refreshment against the heat: New drinking fountain opened in Spandau!

On October 8, 2025, a new drinking fountain was opened in the green area at Bullengraben, at the end of Grünhofer Weg. The project, a cooperation between the Spandau district and Berliner Wasserbetriebe, aims to provide refreshment for walkers, cyclists and children as well as to water the trees in the complex. The opening ceremony was led by City Councilor for Construction Thorsten Schatz and Eric Rietz, head of the Jungfernheide pipe network operations center. The event was supported by trainees from the district office and the water company.

The new fountain is part of a larger initiative aimed at making Spandau's green spaces fit for the future. It also corresponds to the heat protection strategy of the Berliner Wasserbetriebe and represents the third joint pilot project between the district and the water company.

Climate change and the need for drinking fountains

Climate change has hit Germany hard in recent years. Especially after the extreme heat waves and drought summers of 2018 and 2022, cities and municipalities must increasingly take measures to adapt to the climate. According to RaberAlf, 2024 has recorded the warmest year since weather records began in 1881, highlighting the urgency of such projects. In the future, more frequent heat waves, dry periods and heavy rain events are expected, which will lead to higher pollution, especially in larger cities.

In this regard, public drinking fountains play an essential role. They not only contribute to improving water supplies, but also help to stabilize microclimates in urban areas. In addition, they offer essential refreshment for vulnerable groups such as old people, children and homeless people on hot days. Public drinking fountains also reduce plastic waste and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Climate adaptation at the local level

As the Federal Environment Agency emphasizes, municipalities are central actors in the development of adaptation measures to climate change. They take on important public service tasks, including drinking water supply and flood protection. Many municipalities have already declared a “climate emergency” to highlight the need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

The new drinking fountain infrastructure in Spandau could therefore serve as a model for future projects in other cities. By using flushing water, which is taken from drinking water pipes several times a year for hygiene reasons, the irrigation system is operated efficiently and sustainably. In total, there are now around 2,000 public drinking fountains in Germany, all of which are intended to meet the increasing demands on urban water supply structures.

Against the backdrop of increased climate impacts, the need to invest in innovative solutions and projects is undisputed. Drinking fountains are not only a practical solution for water supply, but also an important step towards climate-friendly and sustainable urban development.