November 8, 2023 – The civic platform “1 Percent for the city” has been advocating the idea of Zagreb public drinking fountains. And it finally looks like free drinking water could once again become available at Zagreb squares.
The city has announced the imminent renovation of Kvaternik Square, which will also receive a mobile fountain, reports HRT/Poslovni.
Drinking water in the main squares is a communal standard that Zagreb currently lacks, according to the civil volunteer platform “1 Percent for the city”.
“Both Kvaternik and Ban Jelačić are squares that have had a century-long continuity of the presence of free drinking water. Neither of those two squares offers that anymore. These are perhaps the two most important squares in Zagreb”, says Saša Šimpraga, a member of the platform.
The current city administration included the return of drinking water to Manduševac in its pre-election promise, explains Šimpraga. Jelačić Square will have to wait, but the City has announced the installation of a mobile fountain on Kvaternik Square.
“As far as Jelačić Square is concerned, it should be weighed out with regard to all other situations related to the identity of that space, arrangement and so on. As for Kvaternik and other interventions that can breathe life into that square, bring more visitors, we will definitely do that,” emphasized Tomislav Tomašević, Mayor of Zagreb.
Although the people of Zagreb are most familiar with the Francek, Martin or Viktorija fountain models, the City is reportedly planning to install a mobile fountain like the Viennese Brunhilde.
“The new model should be recognizable for the City and meet all these modern standards, i.e. easy consumption for all age groups, separate access for animals, bottle filling and so on,” emphasizes Šimpraga.
Free drinking water in public spaces – apart from being a centuries-old tradition in Zagreb, it also represents a public health and communal standard.
