July 3, 2012

CONTACT:

Chris Gilbride / Corey Chambliss (718) 595-6600

DEP Announces More than 108,000 People Visited Water-On-the-Go Fountains in the Last Month, Program Expanding to Include July 4th Events and New Summer-Long Locations

Fountains Open Tomorrow at Coney Island for July 4th Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest;

Program Adding Seven New Summer-Long Locations Including Wall Street, Rockaway Beach, Van Cortlandt Park

Environmental Protection Commissioner Carter Strickland today announced that more than 108,000 people and 500 dogs have visited Water-On-the-Go fountains since the 2012 program kickoff last month. On July 4th, Water-On-the-Go fountains will be set up in select high traffic pedestrian areas, city parks, beaches, and special events including the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest near the boardwalk on Coney Island. In addition, fountains will be set up regularly at seven new locations throughout the summer, bringing the total number of recurring Water-On-the-Go locations to 30.

Earlier this Summer DEP introduced a new iPhone/iPad mobile application (app) to help New Yorkers access the daily Water-On-the-Go program schedule. The app is free, and available for download at the iTunes Store. This summer, Water-On-the-Go visitors can also "Check-In" at fountains using Foursquare. While supplies last, visitors who "Check-In" regularly may unlock a special for a free reusable NYC Water bottle, and those with the most "Check-Ins" will be declared "Mayor" of the Water-On-the-Go station.

"NYC Water is internationally renowned for its clean, refreshing taste, and Water-On-the-Go is a healthy and free way to help New Yorkers cool off on hot summer days," said Commissioner Strickland. "As the temperatures climb, we encourage both residents and visitors alike to stop by one of our 30 drinking fountains, Check-In on Foursquare, and download the app. In serving more than 100,000 drinkers already this year, clearly Water-On-the-Go is bigger and better than ever."

July 4th Water-On-the-Go locations will include:

• Coney Island – West 10th Street between Surf Avenue and the boardwalk; Surf Avenue between West 10th and West 12th Streets;
• Rockaway – Beach 96; Beach 116;
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 1; Empire Fulton Ferry; and
• Times Square – Broadway, between 47th and 48th Streets.

Water-On-the-Go drinking fountains are regularly available in all five boroughs for the first time ever. The seven new Water-On-the-Go locations are: Wall Street, Herald Square, and Rockefeller Center in Manhattan; Astoria Park, Flushing Meadows, and Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The number of recurring Water-On-the-Go locations has tripled since last year, with DEP rotating fountains among 30 different locations around the city. For a complete list of Water-On-the-Go locations, visit nyc.gov/dep, call 311, or download the Water-On-the-Go app at the iTunes store.

DEP manages the city's water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,400 miles of sewer lines and 95 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP employs nearly 6,000 employees, including nearly 1,000 in the upstate watershed. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nycwater.

Related links

• NYC Water-On-the-Go Calendar 
• Get the app now