Last year some ornamental drinking water fountains in Brussels, suffering from scoliosis gave so little water that I hardly dared send anyone to them to drink. I decided to go the scientific way and measure their flow rate. I took four samples, the rest I saw to be OK. The worst gave 0.11 l/m of water per faucet. osm.org/node/4029799459#map=19/50.84760/4.35140
The biggest blind spot in Brussels is the Oude Graanmarkt. With two not working drinking water fountains and a fountain on the ground. I decided to ask the local drinking water company if this water is drinkable. But as some drinking water fountains were restored this year, I checked first. And, Holy Moses, drinking water came out of the broken fountain, in abundance. osm.org/node/4181707170#map=19/50.85017/4.34692&layers=H
I changed the status with the app “Drinkingwaterfountains”. Yes folks, some people map drinking water fountains and do not check if water comes out of it. A precise location or picture is recommended to find them as our drinking water fountains live an inconspicuous life.
I nevertheless wanted to know if all fountains in Brussels provide drinkable water. Usually there is no mark on them. I presented myself at the water distribution company as the big expert (is there a complicated word for that ?). But after talking to three people, including the receptionist, I gave up. I don’t want to pass the rest of my life trying to find out who is responsible for the fountains in Brussels.
It is my opinion that those ornamental drinking water fountains should be melted down.
Discussion
Comment from Warin61 on 11 May 2017 at 22:41
I’d think that there would be a government Health department that has responsibility for public heath and they would have authority over drinking water. If you don’t get a response from them then contact your local politician ..
The decorative .ornamental type fountains Have different tags from those for drinking water. I’d be tempted to use the ornamental type if I could not be certain of the water quality.
Comment from philippec on 15 May 2017 at 07:27
With ornamental DRINKING water fountains in Brussels, I mean the 19th century metal objects with cast figurines, serving as tourist attraction. Apart from amusing the tourists, they have only disadvantages.