Subject's Notification Regarding the Following Details:

In an effort to promote sustainability and combat urban heat islands, the city of Bottrop is set to expand its public drinking water facilities. This move is in response to climate change, the increase in cardiovascular diseases, and the need for easily accessible drinking water.

According to the amendment to the Water Resources Act, the goal is to build at least 1,000 new drinking fountains in German municipalities, following the EU Drinking Water Directive. In Bottrop, this initiative will see the installation of new drinking fountains, particularly in the city center, identified as the largest contiguous heat island.

Currently, there are 6 drinking fountains in the Bottrop city area, available from Easter holidays to autumn holidays. However, next year, in cooperation with RWW, new drinking fountains will be built in or near parks, pedestrian zones, and shopping passages, among other locations. Five specific locations in the city center have been identified as suitable for the construction of drinking fountains.

In addition to the new drinking fountains, Bottrop is also participating in the Refill initiative, a programme that allows people to refill their water bottles for free at participating businesses and locations, marked with a sticker. Businesses and facilities can register to allow refills of tap water through the Refill initiative. To participate, businesses can register on the Refill Deutschland website.

The Refill initiative not only reduces plastic waste from single-use bottles but also protects the environment. The initiative has offices located at ZOB Berliner Platz in Bottrop, and the contact information for the Refill initiative in Bottrop is available on their website. The Refill initiative can be contacted through their website, phone, or email.

The first drinking fountain in the Bottrop city center was put into operation on the horse market in June 2025. However, in Bottrop, specific companies or public institutions participating in the Refill program to allow free refilling of personal water bottles on the street are not explicitly listed in the provided search results.

Drinking water should be available at as many public locations as possible in the future. The city of Bottrop encourages businesses and facilities to register for the Refill initiative and contribute to a more sustainable city. For more information, visit the Refill Deutschland website at https://refill-deutschland.de/.