Feature is sponsored by
Water
Go with the flow Drinking water stations provide organisers with a revenue stream. Stand Out looks at how organisers and water experts are working together and uncovers some practical case studies
F
or some years now, the practice of purchasing an empty bottle at a festival and having access to clean and cold water is gaining in popularity. By purchasing a reusable bottle and being given access to unlimited, chilled water for the sake of £5 not only saves a festivalgoer from forking out pounds on costly bottles of water from concession stands but it also saves on the horrendous amount of plastic waste generated on-site. In 2012, FreeFill, Frank Water’s ecofriendly festival initiative, worked with WOMAD, No Direction Home, Green Man and End of the Road, offering festivalgoers unlimited refills of cold water if they purchased a FreeFill bottle or wristband from a refill station or mobile unit. The profits made fund water projects in developing countries, and the concept is growing. At WOMAD, 2,686 bottles were sold. There’s no denying it’s a popular concept particularly amongst eco-conscious event
FreeFill, Frank Water’s water initiative, is a hit with all ages
lovers. According to Adrian Mills, managing director, Watermills, there are a number of reasons why large-scale event organisers may wish to offer visitors such a water facility. He says it reduces plastic waste on-site, it saves water, which is often wasted by people running taps until the water cools down, and he argues that it is common to see people fill up their own bottle from a standpipe or tap tied to a fence – the water in which is often over chlorinated. Such refill points offer filtered and chilled water at the volume required to fill a bottle so that there is no wastage, and they also offer a contingency should there be an unfortunate breach of water quality. Adds Mills: “Festival and event organisers, and also concessions, can obtain an additional revenue stream from the sale of the designated bottles provided by the service provider. In some cases they can provide a profit share with charity projects.” The service can be sponsored by brands with logos – companies such as Hydration Services, based in the Netherlands, offer a Hydration Station and branded bottle service, offering organisers a revenue stream, it says. Its Hydration Station uses a multi-bore membrane, which it says creates a 100 per cent barrier against any type of bacteria entering the water system from a municipal water network. Mills and his team will launch at the Event Production Show an automated water
It’s vital to keep your visitors, and your event, hydrated
dispenser unit called Bottledock. Bottledock will be triggered by a proximity sensor – the refillable bottle will contain the chip or barcode technology, which will activate the sensor and also limit the number of refills. The bottles will have 20 credits, and organisers will be able to determine if all credits have been used and gather important information from the chip technology. The credit option can be disabled in cases of emergency or for total free vend purposes should the client wish to. Organisers also have a choice of three bottle options – flat bottles that roll up, a funky designer bottle or any bottle that has a pre-paid chip or barcode on it. Naturally, the flat bottles are a practical option, as they cut down on transportation costs. Peter Coryndon, business development manager at MTD, agrees that any initiative that reduces plastic waste on-site needs to be encouraged. He explains: “Water supply is all about eliminating any risk to the general public and providing clean and wholesome water. The biggest changes that will come in the next few years are to do with the regulations and standards. All equipment that is used in the consumption of drinking water must be WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved and I believe that the authorities
www.watermills.net
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