When selecting a water refill option, it’s important to consider the following logistics:

• Access to a potable water supply.

• Access to taps.

• Number of daily customers.

• Your budget.

• Temperature and water demand - if you’re located in a warm, humid climate, your customers will have a higher water demand.

• Suitable locations for your refill stations. This could be at your departure point or onboard your vessel/vehicle.

• How many stations you’ll need.
  

There are a diverse variety of water refill stations available. This section of the guide includes interactive tool to help you decide. You can access it here.

Once you’ve selected a refill option, you can plan for set up and management. Some things to consider include:

• Locate stations in high-traffic areas.

• Ensure safe access to refill stations. Reduce trip hazards and cordon off areas to maintain visibility and access. Consider space for increased traffic or queuing.

• Use shade structures or place refill stations undercover to keep water cool if needed.

• Place large, bright signs with clear messaging at the stations. 

• Display reminder signage throughout your departure point or vessel/vehicle with prompts like “Bring your cup!” 

• Monitor water levels and cleanliness. Assign staff to monitor water levels and refill as needed, check water flow and keep the area clean.

• Provide reusable cups onboard your vessel for customers who may have forgotten their water bottle.

Offer affordable bottles (these can be branded) for sale at your departure point or onboard your vessel/vehicle. 

If you purchase your customer meals through a caterer, it’s important to provide them with help to transition away from single-use water bottles. Things to consider include:

• Let them know early on that you are making the switch to reusable water bottles and work through any concerns or logistical questions they have.

• Provide them with any assistance they need. If they will be providing the bottles, this could include advice on places to source more sustainable alternatives or help communicating with suppliers.

• Provide them with details of all the water refill stations you are installing. 

• Provide them with reusable water bottles to sell, or help them source their own.

If you provide meals directly, let your procurement team know as soon as possible. They may have preferred suppliers, so it is best to seek their feedback on what is available that may suit your needs. Provide them with information about the refill stations so that they can purchase reusable water bottles to suit the design.

Be sure to promote a reuse and refill message to your guests and wider community. Action 6 of this guide includes more information on how to best do this.

If your organisation provides tour experiences, you may also like to connect your customers with cafes and restaurants providing water refill stations in the areas you visit.

Collect data on plastic bottles avoided to measure impact. You can do this by measuring the amount of water used and equating this into the number of single-use bottles avoided.