Perth Zoo isn’t just a destination for wildlife lovers.
It’s one of Western Australia’s most visited attractions, welcoming thousands of guests in the peak of summer.
With scorching temperatures and hours of walking, access to clean, convenient drinking water is more than a nice-to-have.
It was a public health priority and Perth Zoo needed a better way to deliver it sustainably.
The challenge: Perth Zoo needed a better way to offer hydration without waste
Perth Zoo welcomes more than 700,000 visitors a year. From families and school groups to international tourists, it’s one of Western Australia’s busiest public spaces. But keeping that many people hydrated without increasing plastic waste is a major challenge.
Perth Zoo had already made sustainability a central goal. Bore-fed lakes, water-efficient taps, dual-flush toilets, and smart irrigation controls have helped reduce groundwater use by over 6.5 million litres.
Still, the Zoo needed a better way to offer safe, easy access to drinking water.
The solution: A staged rollout that grew with the Zoo’s sustainability mission
As part of an $11.9 million integrated water management project, Perth Zoo began upgrading its hydration points in stages.
Stage 1: Five Aquafil FlexiFountains were installed across high-traffic visitor areas. They quickly proved their value with strong usage and positive feedback from families and carers.
Stage 2: The Zoo rebranded the FlexiFountains with new custom artwork panels. This not only refreshed their appearance but also allowed the messaging to evolve as priorities changed.
Stage 3: Most recently, Perth Zoo added an Aquafil Pulse unit near the BBQ and chill-out zone. Featuring stunning commissioned artwork, it ties function with education and storytelling.
Each unit was selected for its durability, accessibility, and minimal maintenance needs. Placement was strategic to ensure every major walking path had access to refill points.
Why Aquafil FlexiFountain and Pulse stood out
These drinking stations weren’t just the practical pick.
It matched the Zoo’s focus on sustainability, inclusion, and design that lasts.
Key features included:
- Universal access for wheelchair and scooter users
- Child-height bottle fillers and soft-touch push buttons
- External drainage to help prevent puddles and blockages
- Hidden, high-mounted nozzles for hygienic refills
- Silver-impregnated anti-bacterial spouts
- Tough stainless-steel construction, built for public use
- Custom artwork panels featuring nature themes by local students
These details made the hydration stations part of the Zoo’s storytelling, not just infrastructure.
The impact: 200,000 litres delivered and 120,000 plastic bottles avoided
Within a short reporting period, the refill stations delivered more than 200,000 litres of clean drinking water. That’s the equivalent of 120,000 plastic bottles removed from circulation.
This one upgrade played a key role in the Zoo’s bigger water wins, like:
- Saving 280,000 litres of drinking water in washrooms
- Diverting 2,000 cubic metres of organic waste
- Cutting groundwater use by almost 15%
- Earning national recognition for water efficiency
Perth Zoo’s upgrade is more than a win. It sets a clear example for other high-traffic destinations.
Reimagining Hydration at Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo’s commitment to sustainability is more than policy. It’s visible, measurable, and embraced by every visitor who refills a bottle.
We’re proud to support that mission.
Our role goes beyond manufacturing. We deliver solutions that are tough, smart, and designed for real public spaces like Perth Zoo. This is where smart hydration supports something bigger. Cleaner spaces, connected communities, and less waste.
With hundreds of councils, schools, parks, and destinations choosing Civiq, this project is a strong example of how design, accessibility, and purpose can come together to create healthier, more connected communities.
