Families refill bottles, runners stop for a drink, and dogs get fresh water. 

Everyone comes together in one spot. 

Parks become easier to use, people stay longer, and the space feels more welcoming. 

That’s real value you can see every day. 

It’s an upgrade people use, share, and remember because it changes how the space works. 

Turning a basic amenity into something memorable and loved takes planning. 

Every great upgrade starts with a clear plan. 

A good plan balances impact, reliability, and long-term value. 

Use this guide to plan a hydration upgrade that people use, that stays reliable, and that fits your budget.

Put Water Stations Where People Already Walk

Water stations get used most when they’re easy to find, not hidden or out of the way. 

Good placement drives daily use and makes the investment worthwhile. 

High-value locations usually include: 

• playground edges 

• foreshore and beach access points 

• trailheads and lookouts 

• sports precinct connectors 

• town centre parks 

Start by mapping key sites to see where new stations will have the biggest impact. Prioritise these high-use spots first. As your budget allows, expand to other areas. This approach gives you quick wins, visible results, and predictable costs.

Bottle Refill Stations Cut Queues and Help You Reduce Waste

Refill stations make life easier. Fast refills keep everyone moving. They encourage reusable bottles, cut down on plastic litter, and save time on clean-up. 

Look for: 

• good clearance for tall bottles 

• a refill outlet that people can use quickly 

• multiple water points where foot traffic spikes 

That’s why networks of refill points work. More stations mean less litter and fewer complaints at busy spots.

Multi-Functional Stations Keep Spaces Tidy

Stations that serve everyone in one spot reduce crowding and keep areas organised. Fewer units mean less clutter and easier maintenance. 

In one In one place, you’ll see:e taking a quick drink 

• people refilling bottles 

• families moving in groups 

• visitors standing around reading signage or waiting 

An accessible drinking fountain gives everyone cool, filtered water and clear wheelchair access. Choose a unit with both a bubbler and a bottle refill outlet to help cut single-use plastics. 

Dual-height stations make it easy for kids and wheelchair users to get water. That’s real public value because everyone can access water on their own.

Hygiene Features Keep Complaints Down

People notice hygiene issues straight away. If a station looks messy, usage drops quickly. 

Poor hygiene turns a good amenity into a source of complaints. 

Choose features that make cleaning simple: 

• nozzle placement that discourages touching 

• materials that wipe down quickly 

• sensible drainage to avoid puddles and mess 

Places like Perth Zoo called out hidden, high mounted nozzles and antibacterial spouts as part of what made their stations work in a high use public environment.

Durability Needs to Match Real Public Use, Not Just Ideal Conditions

Public assets need to handle real use, not just best behaviour. 

Downtime leads to complaints, extra costs, and early replacements. 

Parks and public spaces face leaning, climbing, crowding, weather, and vandalism. Tourist sites add even more demand. 

For harsh outdoor areas, choose marine grade stainless steel. Durable options like the Aquafil Bold range mean fewer repairs, less downtime, and lower costs. 

You’ll also find the Aquafil Bold range in high traffic tourist locations like Bondi Beach, the Blue Mountains, Rottnest Island, and Taronga Zoo, where public assets run hard every day.

Easy Maintenance Should Be Part of Your Decision

If servicing is hard, costs climb over time. Easy service access decides if your station stays reliable or becomes a recurring headache. 

A station that’s hard to service costs more in the long run, even if it’s cheap to buy. 

What to look for: 

• easy internal access 

• clear care instructions 

• parts availability and support when something breaks 

Standardising models across your sites keeps parts, training, and servicing simple. It helps your team fix issues quickly and keeps water available for everyone.

Plan for Dog Walkers From the Start

Dog-friendly hydration solves a real problem and shows you’ve planned for everyone. 

Dog-heavy parks receive strong, quick feedback when amenities work. 

Dog-friendly parks benefit from a simple, one-stop setup, as long as you plan for good placement and drainage. 

A good approach: 

• place the unit on the main dog route, not tucked away 

• avoid tight pinch points on paths 

• keep it close to bins and seating where people naturally pause 

• use a self draining bowl to improve hygiene and avoid stagnant water 

Look for products with an inbuilt swinging dog bowl. These are ideal for parks where you want one unit to serve both people and pets.

Install Chilled Water Where it Makes a Difference

Chilled water feels like a quality upgrade and encourages more people to use the station in busy areas. 

High use delivers real value. Chilled water makes sense where demand justifies the cost. 

Chilled water can boost use, but it’s not needed everywhere. 

It tends to make the most sense in: 

• high dwell areas where people sit and stay 

• major visitor nodes where people arrive without water 

• busy recreation hubs with repeat daily use 

For budget planning, chilled water is usually a targeted upgrade, not something you install everywhere.

Add Filtration if Taste or Water Trust is a Concern

Filtration matters most when taste complaints stop people from using the station. 

A station that isn’t used wastes value and money. Some locations get more water complaints, even when the water is safe. 

Filtration is valuable when it increases use, not just adds maintenance. If people already use the station, a filter may not help. 

If you add filtration, choose a station with an easy filter replacement process. This keeps maintenance quick and costs low.

Partnerships and Staged Rollouts Make Budget Planning Easier

Staged rollouts make budgeting easier and show progress more clearly. 

Staged rollouts reduce risk, spread costs, and make it easier to show progress each quarter. 

Partnering with your local water authority or other groups can help take pressure off your budget. 

Patton Park is a clear example of how partnerships can support delivery. Broken Hill City Council funded the fountain infrastructure, and Essential Water supplied the water. 

Ready to upgrade your hydration stations? 

Book your free Hydration Review with our team today. We’ll map your stations, find the gaps, and set upgrade priorities. Get a clear next step and a staged upgrade plan.