January 12, 2018: From the New York Times: a growing number of airports have begun to install bottle-filling stations near bathrooms and water fountains.
Remember the days when you could just bring a bottle of water from home to the plane? The days before airport security, which allows you to carry liquids only in containers of 3.4 ounces or less?
Until recently, your only options were a fountain, probably with low water pressure, or a $5 bottle of water from the cafe near your gate.
But now, a growing number of airports have begun to install bottle-filling stations for thirsty travelers. The easy-to-use stations are part of an effort to find more sustainable ways to manage crowds (and the empty bottles they leave behind) and to improve airport amenities. Best of all, the water is free.
The installations are already at smaller airports from Portland, Me., to Portland, Ore., and at major hubs, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The water is filtered in some locations.
Travelers can place a water bottle under a spout with an automatic sensor — an electric eye — that stops the flow of water when the bottle is full. This eliminates the need for any levers or buttons where germs or bacteria can be transmitted. Some airports purchase stations with a push button instead.
Meanwhile, airports are also trying to figure out how to encourage travelers to dispose of water andliquids before security and then encourage reusing the bottles at filling stations on the secure side of terminals and recycling the empty bottles. Both Portland, Ore., and San Francisco have liquid disposal stations — effectively sinks on wheels — before security checkpoints.
