Only 11 per cent of public parks in the UK have a water fountain, according to a survey published this week, which is pushing children towards unhealthy sugary drinks.
The survey of 127 parks across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - roughly 3 per cent of the 5,000 parks in UK - found that just 6 per cent had every water fountain working. Of those without any water fountain, only 14 per cent had somewhere else in the park to get free drinking water, such as a café offering tap water.
The Children's Food Campaign, which organised the survey, said drinking water in parks and other public spaces enabled children to quench their thirst without having to purchase sugary drinks, regular consumption of which is linked to tooth decay and childhood obesity.
No incentive
Dr Vivienne Nathanson from the British Medical Association (BMA) said children were being provided with little incentive to reduce their intake of sugary soft drinks.
'At a time when we are fighting an obesity crisis in the UK, it is essential children readily have access to free, safe drinking water in schools and public parks,' she said.
The Consumer Council for Water said with more than £85 billion invested in the water system since privatisation it should be easy to provide drinking water access in public places as well as homes.
The Children's Food Campaign is recommending local councils fix and install fountains in more parks as well as providing signs to point out existing ones.
'Drinking fountains are a cheap and easy way of improving public health. It’s not rocket science - the Victorians were way ahead of us on this issue,' said campaign coordinator Christine Haigh.
Useful links
Consumer Council for Water
| READ MORE... | |
 |
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE How to campaign for better school food All you need to know to get fresher, healthier and greener food into your child's school - from nurseries to primary and secondary schools |
 |
INTERVIEW Jackie Schneider: local authorities must protect children, not catering firms Vocal school food campaigner Jackie Schneider on parent power, the importance of cooking from scratch and why free school meals would be the most cost-effective solution |
 |
NEWS Uncertainity over mobile phone and brain cancer links Largest study to date finds increased tumour risk for heavy mobile phone users but says 'biases and errors' make use of these findings impossible |
 |
NEWS Pesticide residue exposure linked to ADHD in children Parents urged to wash fruits and vegetables before eating after study finds commonly used pesticides may contribute to ADHD in children |
 |
GREEN LIVING Behind the Label: head lice treatments Faced with an itchy young head full of nits, it's all too easy to reach for a bottle of potent chemicals. But is smothering your child's hair in pesticides really the best solution? |
