Stations with water refill points

[dan4291]

Next time I am at a station, probably Newcastle I'll take a picture and upload it here showing the exact position.

Perhaps others will follow and we'll all get to know the locations.

I'd never heard of the Refill app mentioned previously .. might give it a try, although some reviews aren't too good

The one at Newcastle is on platform 4 next to a vending machine about halfway along the platform. I use it regularly. Could do with one or two more dotted about near the concourse though.

 

[Rail101]

There is one at London Bridge, a little to the left (so the Tooley Street side) of the arches through to the underground (if facing towards the underground). Apparently also one on the upper level concourse but I've not used that one myself

 

[Railcar]

At East Croydon, Caithness Walk forms a link from the overbridge to Dingwall Road. At the end of Caithness Walk is a water refill machine.

 

[BenS123]

Bournemouth has one which is in a rather weird location (outside the platform 3 gateline and turn left after leaving the station building), it also charges 25p per refill

 

[secretlondon]

Vauxhall’s one is by the stairs to platform 3 and 4. I don’t know if it has a free option.

 

[telstarbox]

There is one at London Bridge, a little to the left (so the Tooley Street side) of the arches through to the underground (if facing towards the underground). Apparently also one on the upper level concourse but I've not used that one myself

The lower one is outside the gate line near the Hotel Chocolat shop (I'd say nearer the St Thomas St side). The upper one is at the top of the stairs which lead down to the lower concourse.

 

[LUYMun]

Passed through Basingstoke recently to find there's a water refill point, but it's a chargeable one from a private company (forgot the name). I've added it to the list on post 79.

 

[jon0844]

Does it definitely charge or does it seek to look like it does, by offering a series of different options (that you arguably don't need) at cost, but still dispensing tap water for free?

The one at King's Cross is like that and I was surprised to see many people paying.

I can't quite remember but I think you pay for filtered water and flavours, or even CO2, and it really does push them so you don't notice the free option.

A bit like free museums that pretend there's an entry fee by making signs with suggested donations look like price lists.

 

[LUYMun]

Basingstoke appears to definitely charge, with a choice of 0.5L or 1L of still water priced at 25p per 0.5L, but this doesn’t seem to be in operation, giving everyone free drinks. It says “free until start of May” but visiting the kiosk today and pressing the two options will result in the dispensing of water, so it’s still free. There’s also a sparkling option waiting to be implemented. See pic attached.

 

[Russel]

Basingstoke appears to definitely charge, with a choice of 0.5L or 1L of still water priced at 25p per 0.5L, but this doesn’t seem to be in operation, giving everyone free drinks. It says “free until start of May” but visiting the kiosk today and pressing the two options will result in the dispensing of water, so it’s still free. There’s also a sparkling option waiting to be implemented. See pic attached.View attachment 158044

25p, to me, is a reasonable charge considering the cost of installing and maintaining these facilities.

If it means they are a little more reliable, then I'm all for it.

Too many water points get installed, stop working and aren't repaired for 12 months, Euston being a prefect example.

 

[infobleep]

Basingstoke appears to definitely charge, with a choice of 0.5L or 1L of still water priced at 25p per 0.5L, but this doesn’t seem to be in operation, giving everyone free drinks. It says “free until start of May” but visiting the kiosk today and pressing the two options will result in the dispensing of water, so it’s still free. There’s also a sparkling option waiting to be implemented. See pic attached.View attachment 158044

Why do some stations charge, some have an optional charge and others don't charge? It's a postcode lottery.

I like using that term for things others might not think to use it for because they wouldn't consider the issue that important.

Going back to charging, are the free ones there due to a subsidy to put them in?

 

[jon0844]

25p, to me, is a reasonable charge considering the cost of installing and maintaining these facilities.

If it means they are a little more reliable, then I'm all for it.

Too many water points get installed, stop working and aren't repaired for 12 months, Euston being a prefect example.

Back in the day, you had a water tap. Arguably they need to be kept clean to be safe, and you don't want someone leaving one on - so we got machines that dispensed in a more controlled manner.

Now someone has come along and monetised them. Set them up to look like you need to pay, and offer fancy options when all anyone really wanted was simple tap water (which in the UK is perfectly safe, even if tourists might panic and take the upsell for filtering).

I am not sure I want to accept that we should pay, as before you know it the price will creep upwards and the original idea of getting people to refill bottles (as well as providing water to people who might otherwise fall ill and cause delays) gets completely forgotten. Might as well just direct people to WH Smith.

 

[transportphoto]

Too many water points get installed, stop working and aren't repaired for 12 months, Euston being a prefect example.

Grantham platform 2/3/4 being another… still sits broken.

 

[LUYMun]

Updated Bishops Stortford to include a water refill at the end of the footbridge above platforms 3/4.