The study by University of Otago, Wellington public health researchers found only 20 per cent of playgrounds surveyed had a functioning water fountain.
Study authors randomly selected 54 playgrounds from 17 local government areas in the lower North Island and found just 11 had working fountains within 100 metres of the playground equipment.
"Having people drinking more water instead of sugary drinks is good for the health system and the costs it has to bear – so it just seems like councils and the central government are way behind on this issue," Wilson said.
Over one third of children (2 – 14 years old) were obese or overweight according to the most recent New Zealand Health Survey.
While there was no scientific evidence water fountains could reduce obesity, anecdotally people used fountains when they were available and noticed if they were not, he said.
The authors called on the government to impose minimum mandatory requirements for drinking fountains and extend access to malls, beaches and public parks.
Maintenance, including ensuring drinking fountains appeared clean, was important to increase public confidence in the supply of safe drinking water, particularly in light of the recent contamination crisis in Havelock North.
Some fountains in the study had grass growing out of them or green "sludgy" build up around the nozzle.
Publicly available drinking water, though free, had to compete with a huge increase of sugary drinks for sale.
– Stuff

(Gidon Bromberg, Nada Majdalani and Munqeth Mehyar are the co-directors of EcoPeace Middle East.
For Palestinian communities that suffer water shortages and require Israeli approval to increase pumping of shared natural water resources, an agreement to increase water sales from Israel to the Palestinian Authority by 50 percent annually will dramatically improve lives and livelihoods without creating water shortages on the Israeli side.
This work to mediate peace through Israeli-Palestinian water sharing should be commended and continued.
The United States clearly recognizes the importance of international water security, having recently released its Global Water Strategy, which coordinates the work of 16 U.S. government agencies and private partners.
A logical next step, beyond water sales, would be to negotiate a fair allocation of the natural water resources that Israelis and Palestinians share, thus solving one of the core issues plaguing the peace process.
Israeli politicians insist that a better water deal for the Palestinians must be matched by Palestinian compromises on refugees.
As long as all agree that negotiating over water rights involves cross-border waters (the Coastal Aquifer lies beneath parts of Israel and all of Gaza, the Mountain Aquifer underlies Israel and the West Bank, and the Jordan River shares borders) borders, settlements, refugees, and security arrangements are not issues that must be determined in advance of a water agreement.
In Gaza, the flood of untreated sewage is so great that groundwater is no longer potable, and most beaches in Gaza and some in neighboring Israel have been forced to close.
Advancing regional water projects such as a master plan for the development of water and sanitation in the Jordan Valley, and an increased water trade that does not sacrifice water rights, present more opportunities to help stabilize the situation.
Conversely, the sustainability of any Middle East peace agreement will be compromised if water resources are not allocated fairly and managed efficiently.

It has attracted scrutiny from scientists and city managers worldwide who also face the dual challenge of ballooning populations and shrinking resources.
This would be the world’s first major city to go dry.
“There are a lot of people who have been in denial and now they suddenly realise this is for real,” said Shirley Curry, who waited to fill a plastic container with spring water from one of several taps in the Newlands suburb.
Mayor Patricia de Lille threatened to fine those who use too much water.
The spectacle of people scrounging for water could become more common as “Day Zero” approaches in Cape Town, whose natural beauty has made it a coveted spot for international visitors.
Swim in ocean, not pools Cape Town’s leaders have instructed residents to use only 50 litres of water daily from February 1, down from the current 87-litre limit.
If “Day Zero” arrives, many people would have to go to collection points for a daily ration of 25 litres.
Communal taps in poor areas known as informal settlements likely would run to avoid the threat of disease.
Some central and downtown areas could be exempt from the cut-off for the sake of tourism and business.
The average level of reservoirs that are Cape Town’s main source of water is currently about 27 per cent, but the final 10 per cent is considered unusable because of mud, weeds and debris at the bottom.

The Kyrgyz government plans to lay on a drinking water supply system in 653 villages, which requires about $ 432 mln, Deputy Prime Minister, Daiyr Kenekeev said at a meeting of the parliamentary faction Respublika Ata Jurt, Kabar reports.
Concerning the issue of providing drinking water in the regions, Kenekeev stressed that in 267 out of 1813 villages, water pipes were laid on back in 1950-1960 and in 386 villages there is no water supply system at all.
"In order to provide the population with drinking water, the Government has adopted a Strategy for Development of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Systems in the populated localities of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2026," Kenekeev stressed.
The special report of the Ombudsman Institute says that currently about 1 mln people do not have access to clean drinking water in Kyrgyzstan.
This is taking into consideration the fact that Kyrgyzstan is one of the richest countries in water resources of post-Soviet Central Asia.
Earlier, Deputy Parhat Tulendybayev at a meeting of the Parliament said that 725 villages still do not have access to clean drinking water in Kyrgyzstan.
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A new study has found that only 20 percent of playgrounds in the lower North Island have drinking fountains.
Researchers want minimum standards for water fountains in New Zealand, especially in light of the country’s recent heatwave.
It randomly selected 54 playgrounds across 17 council areas in the lower North Island – only 11 playgrounds had water fountains.
The fountains they did find were poor quality.
There are no health concerns from a bit of discolouration, but Professor Wilson says it discourages people from using them.
This follows a similar study last year that called for more investment in Wellington’s public fountains.
Deputy Mayor Jill Day says there is on-going work to install more fountains at recreation spots around the city, including playgrounds.
And maintenance for one fountain costs $900 a year.
Wilson wants to see central Government set minimum standards for drinking fountains in playgrounds and parks, so parents like Ms Chambers can rely on access to drinking water.
Newshub.

A new study has found that only 20 percent of playgrounds in the lower North Island have drinking fountains. Researchers want minimum standards for water fountains in New Zealand, especially in light of the country’s recent heatwave. Tackling the playground in soaring temperatures can be thirsty work, but don’t rely on public drinking fountains to stay hydrated. “We tend to fill up drink bottles for the kids, because a lot of the playgrounds don’t have drinking fountains,” said Wellington mum Alice Chambers. According to a new study from the University of Otago in Wellington, she’s right….

Revised European legislation proposed by the European Commission on Thursday will improve the quality of drinking water and access to it as well as provide better information to citizens.
The right to access essential services of good quality, including water, is one of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights unanimously endorsed by Heads of State or Government at the Gothenburg Summit.
This will be contributing to the environmental goals of reducing unnecessary plastic use and limiting the EU’s carbon footprint, as well as to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Thanks to increased transparency it will also empower consumers and push them towards more sustainable choices, for example using tap water.” Most people living in the EU enjoy very good access to high quality drinking water.
This results from long standing EU legislation protecting Europeans ensuring that they have access to high quality drinking water.
These additions take account of the latest scientific knowledge and recommendations of the World Health Organisation.
Another important change in the legislation will give the public easy, user-friendly – including online – access to information about the quality and supply of drinking water in their living area, improving confidence in tap water.
With improved confidence in tap water, citizens can also contribute to reducing plastic waste from bottled water, including marine litter.
Better management of drinking water from Member States will avoid unnecessary loss of water and contribute to lowering the CO2 footprint.
The new risk-based approach to safety will help to carry out safety checks in a more targeted manner where risks are higher.

Revised European legislation proposed by the European Commission on Thursday will improve the quality of drinking water and access to it as well as provide better information to citizens. The right to access essential services of good quality, including water, is one of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights unanimously endorsed by Heads of State or Government at the Gothenburg Summit. Thursday’s legislative proposal aims to guarantee this right and thereby responds to the first-ever successful European Citizens’ Initiative, “Right2Water”, that gathered 1.6 million signatures in support of improving access to safe drinking water for all Europeans. In addition this proposal seeks to empower consumers ensuring that water suppliers provide consumers with clearer information on water consumption, on the cost structure as well as on the price per litre allowing a comparison with the price of bottled water. This will be contributing to the environmental goals of reducing unnecessary plastic use and limiting the EU’s carbon footprint, as well as to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said, “Citizens have made their voice loud and clear through the European Citizens’ Initiative, calling for action to have a guaranteed access to safe drinking water. We have heard and heeded their call and carried out a thorough analysis of our existing legislation. Today we are therefore proposing to modernise our EU law, improving the quality of drinking water and increasing the access of citizens…

The Town of Swan River said a company that specializes in wells arrived in the town Wednesday evening, followed shortly afterward by parts needed to make repairs.
A state of emergency was declared on the weekend after the town experienced what was described on its website as a “major break in its water pumping a distribution system.”
Water emergency ‘not over,’ no timeline for repairs Swan River residents warned In an update Thursday, the town said, “This style of work requires time and precision.
The environment and cold temperature are playing a role in the length of time needed to complete the repairs.” The town could not yet say when residents could return to typical water use.
The statement said, “We cannot stress enough that we need everyone to continue strict water restriction and conservation practices.
This means no baths, no showers, no washing clothes or running dishwashers.” The town continues to give residents access to drinking water, available for pickup at Swan Valley Regional School, and porta potties at the Swan Valley Co-op, from the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Town of Swan River said a company that specializes in wells arrived in the town Wednesday evening, followed shortly afterward by parts needed to make repairs. A state of emergency was declared on the weekend after the town experienced what was described on its website as a “major break in its water pumping a distribution system.” READ MORE: Water emergency…