Over twenty locations in Kingston have signed on to participate in Blue W, providing people in Kingston access to free high-quality tap water, while they are on the go, away from their home. Tap water in Kingston is proudly treated by the employees of Utilities Kingston and meets or exceeds all water quality standards.

Blue W is a unique community-based program dedicated to promoting municipal tap water as a healthy, easily accessible alternative to purchasing bottled, often sugary, drinks. Kingston residents and visitors can fill up their re-usable water bottles free of charge at any location within the community that is marked with a Blue W decal (see above right). A map showing all participating Kingston locations can be seen on Blue W’s website (www.bluew.org), as well as locations in other cities that are also participating in the program.

“We are pleased that so many locations are participating in the Blue W network, and hope that it continues to grow,” said Heather McMillan, public health dietitian at KFL&A Public Health. “Blue W makes it easier for Kingston residents and tourists to find tap water while they’re out enjoying the city.”

Kingston’s municipal drinking water meets or exceeds all provincial water quality standards. Utilities Kingston pumps approximately 25 million m3 of potable water through the municipal distribution system each year via three water treatment plants, and a network of 561 kilometres of water main, water valves, distribution facilities and fire hydrants.

“We’re proud to supply safe, reliable drinking water in the city of Kingston,” said Kevin Riley, Director of Water and Wastewater Operations for Utilities Kingston, “and we are very happy to be partnering with KFL&A Public Health and Blue W to make drinking tap water even more convenient in the local community”.

Locations interested in signing up for the free Blue W program can register at www.bluew.org and can contact Heather McMillan, by phone at 613-549-1232, ext. 1528.

Residents and visitors can look for the symbol above to identify a participating location.