After borrowing a similar station from the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) and receiving positive community feedback, the Utilities Department decided to create one specifically for Evanston. Designed and fabricated by the Utilities Department, the mobile water station was built this spring and was unveiled during the Fourth of July Parade at Ackerman Park. The station will be at gatherings throughout the city this summer and at the Evanston Green Living Festival and Bike the Ridge events in the fall.

The mobile water station uses a flatbed trailer as a base, and its body is made using steel framework and aluminum sheeting. The station includes six separate sinks fitted with water bottle-filling faucets or drinking fountains. A 200-gallon water storage tank underneath the station is filled at the Evanston Water Plant before being delivered to its destination, giving the station more flexible mobility. In addition, written on the side of the mobile water station are some “fun facts” about Evanston’s tap water and tips for being a good steward of our precious water supply.

Drinking tap water as opposed to bottled water is safer, cheaper and better for the environment. The Evanston Water Treatment Plant is required to meet strict water quality standards from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and is rigorously tested and monitored.

Evanston’s tap water is affordable, costing less than a penny per gallon, versus $1.00 or more per bottle of water. In addition, using a re-fillable water bottle also saves precious resources. It takes as much water to make a plastic bottle as it does to fill it up with water!

Lake Michigan water is pumped directly to the Evanston Water Treatment Plant and efficiently distributed to homes and businesses via underground pipes. Bottled water is often transported hundreds or thousands of miles away from the bottling plant, which uses a significant amount of fuel.

Tips to Reduce Indoor Water Use:

• Chill tap water in advance instead of running the faucet to get colder water
• Take short showers; 5 minutes or less is best
• Fix a leaking toilet

Tips to Reduce Outdoor Water Use:

• Use a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways
• Choose plants that are native to Illinois
• Water with a handheld hose