Why does Melbourne have so many drinking fountains?

[@rizalukman7982]

Thank you sir.I was in Melbourne in 1997 until 1999 doing my university.I am impressed by the amount of tap water installed in public places in Melbourne

[@stixstudios3380]

I've used public drinks fountains in Melbourne many times and never even gave it a second thought. Interesting info. Thanks Philip.👌

[@petermcculloch4933]

Same with me.

[@christiantran8454]

Same

[@letsseeif]

Philip. Thanks for your fascinating content. I grew up in a neo wowser family. 'Drink' and early pub closing was at its peak. When Mum visited Melbourne's CBD, she and her friends drank at 'The Victoria Coffee Palace'. We were not rich but looked down on those in the alcohol pub culture. In an era of religious division, my parent's tended to blame to one religious group.

[@wadegregory7378]

Great video. I only wish Southern Cross Station would install one rather than having to cross Spencer St to find one. “Drinking fountains would reduce their income as at least some of their customers would turn to free public water instead of visiting their businesses” still rings true in 2023…

[@bryan3550]

Nice work, Philip! Another quirk you might light to pursue are the highly decorated Victorian "pissoirs" here and there around the city. Queensberry Street used to have more than it's fair share ( not sure they're still there) I think because it was a stock route between the markets... I understand they were imported from France!

[@jonathantan2469]

The Queensberry ones near Swanston, Elizabeth Streets & in North Melbourne are still there, and are still in use... if anyone dares use them. There's also another on Spring Street near the train station. You may want to hold your nose when you use them, but the more modern automated toilets smell worse.

[@andrewwmitchell]

Absolutely fascinating, Phillip! So lovely to understand the rich history behind something I've often taken for granted. ❤❤ your videos.

[@philipmallis]

Many thanks, glad you enjoy them!

[@tigerlily62]

I know my Scottish ancestors, who came to live in Cremorne, started the South Richmond Temperance League. I can say that within two generations, that went out the window!..😂

[@davidmccrory5604]

I just can't get enough of our early history to exclaim " ahhh! that explains it " is a joy love this channel and your passion for our great city 👍

[@philipmallis]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoy them :)

[@timothyfreise]

The oldest building is actually Batmans cottage now in Drysdale ...it used to be on a corner of my grandma's house in Gellibrand St in Portarlington. The old lady that passed away in it was batmans great great great grand daughter. He was about 80 when she passed away in around the 1990s the cottage was bought and moved to the old Drysdale railways station and restored. It was built around 1830s

[@Shapuranushirvani]

I've just seen a few of your videos on historical Victoria , thank you for keeping alive Victorian( state)originsand it's history thanks for the information

[@adavies971985]

Hey mate, love your videos. It gives me information to share on our train rides. Keep up the great work!

[@philipmallis]

Glad you like them!

[@Skatted]

I found it almost impossible in some European countries to get some free tap water. We are very lucky!

[@xr6lad]

You think that’s bad. Trying finding a free toilet there. Even in department stores and malls they have a person sitting there expecting a payment right after spending a fortune in the store

[@Skatted]

@@xr6lad I kind of like how that they have bathroom attendants, they keep it clean and have cologne and sweets haha.

[@xr6lad]

@@Skatted true on both accounts. It’s just when you’ve spent €100 on something it seems a bit penny pinching (or is that pfennig pinching).

[@SergeiBoy]

Great content Phillip , as usual 👍

[@icascone]

Oh wow, something that would go overlooked by many of us, thanks for telling us!

[@johnharper9433]

Love your work and am always happy to see each one of your videos.

[@philipmallis]

Thank you very much!

[@AbacusManify]

Interesting video! I wonder what the story behind some of our other public amenities is like - for instance, the public barbecues that you often see in parks around the city and state?

[@mack_reese]

that's a brilliant idea!

[@philipmallis]

Thank you! Yes a few others have suggested this too, I'll add it to my list of future video topics

[@Winston_Nelson]

Awesome bro! Love your channel

[@johndee68]

Another great documentary.

[@freebeerishere]

Watching this after I just filled up my bottle with the drinking fountain outside the state library

[@blueycarlton]

The Ievers family (Carlton real estate agents) built 3 drinking fountains in the Carlton area around the early 20th century. One you photographed. I believe all three are still operating. There is an Ievers Street off Sydney Road, opposite the Carlton Football Ground.

[@BatCaveOz]

Excellent video! Is there any chance of a followup regarding public BBQs?

[@philipmallis]

Thank you! Good idea, I'll add it to my list of future video topics

[@mattjowett8837]

A relative of mine, I want to say great great grandfather’s brother, was like a town clerk of some kind for Caulfield Council ~1880-1920 (Frederick Jowett) had a memorial drinking fountain installed for him. I always thought this was a weird piece of equipment for a memorial monument, apparently it was installed in the middle of a road and had to be relocated as people bending down to drink from it would have their derrière sticking out and stuck by traffic, I’d love to know if this anecdote is true but no idea how I’d find that out. It’s since been relocated I think to caulfield library(?)

[@aussietaipan8700]

506 liked, I always look for your video's mate, you always do a great job with the information and presentation.

[@philipmallis]

Thank you very much!

[@Emily_Charley]

Lived in Melbourne my whole life and never knew we had so many water fountains

[@planetX15]

Especially now when more fountains are installed at (most) premium train stations

[@frankkudos7338]

Very informative, thanks 👍

[@philipmallis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mickanvonfootscraymarket5520]

The other day I walked past a fountain and it occurred to me, even water fountains once were built in ornate classical styles. I will still never drink from one.

[@stevenjohannesen88]

Melbourne water quality is excellent ❤️

[@NewFalconerRecords]

First class video once again. 👏

[@92madsk]

We literally have the best tasting water too. It’s better than bottled water

[@marcusf.6722]

Informative.

[@Mackarony5]

Fascinating!

[@jonathantan2469]

The problem is I've rarely seen anyone use these drinking fountains, either to drink directly from or refill a bottle. Most would rather duck into a 7-11 or shop to buy bottled water. It's more to do with fears of hygiene as some of these water fountain bowls are dirty with algae, gunk, leaves, trash, and even bird poop (but not on the spout), and the risk of getting other people's germs. The coronavirus pandemic hasn't helped. Some drinking fountains in the city centre have also been removed. There used to be at least five within the block around Elizabeth St., near the train station, but almost all of them have been removed.

[@RockinFootball_23]

Yeah, the city ones don't get used but ones in the park or university campuses are used often. The one in my uni is used so much that there is almost a constant stream of people using it. You almost always have to wait for someone to finish filling their bottle before you can have a turn.

[@chaffcutter58.]

Coming from the country, out of all capital cities,Melbourne's tap water in the city the most chlorinated.

[@1greenMitsi]

I love my fluoridated public water

[@paulbattifora7617]

"Jealousy of the UK" made me chuckle...

[@sarcasmo57]

I do like to be hydrated.

[@gauchemode7488]

Nice video!

[@campcreekhill8933]

So we had drinking fountains in1850 to improve public health but no one considered putting in a sewage system in fact it took another 50 years before a sewer system was installed?

[@feelincrispy7053]

This is the most Melbournian story I’ve ever heard. And I’ve never not be able to get water.. and a little bit of hose

[@74_pelicans]

Melburnian mate, come on, DO BETTER

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

They keep one young .

[@herbnalis3723]

Regarding the newer drinking fountains in the Melbourne CBD area installed by the Melbourne City Council I am sorry to say that they are a big disappointment. The Bourke Street Mall filtered water drinking fountain is placed on the south side of Bourke Street where it receives the full sun during the summer months making it a hot water dispenser. Southern Cross Station doesn't have any drinking fountains which in a high traffic area is nonsense & forces thirsty people to purchase a refreshment or use the hand basin in the toilets which is not hygienic . Docklands also has a number of drinking fountains placed to receive the full sun during summer & makes them unusable when needed most. During high heat summer days there are annoucements all day about keeping hydrated & refill your water bottle. I bought the matter of placement of filter water fountain in Bourke Street Mall to the attention of a MCC employee who didn't care at all.

[@74_pelicans]

southern cross doesnt have water, or bins or many other things as its the only station in victoria privately operated.

[@jonathantan2469]

There is one drinking fountain right outside the station on Spencer St. It's between Collins & Bourke St. As for hot water coming out of the drinking fountains in the sun, just let it run for 10-15 secs for the warmed water in the pipe to be pushed out...

[@trickywoody]

but where did all the rubbish bins go?

[@mak7587]

Melbourne you are so clever 😄

[@xr6lad]

Why? Cos we’re cool dude!

[@1mmickk]

Its a pity you were not alive in the horse trough days, you would have loved them. I forget the details but someone donated them all for the horses.

[@nullifye7816]

I really dislike Melbourne's public faucets (fountains seems undeserved). In some countries public fountains, actual fountains with spigots giving strong constant flow, were common in public squares, and I relied on them while travelling there. Melbourne's upward-shooting taps always struck me as unhygienic, as overflow from a person's mouth would flow down onto the spigot, not to mention the necessity of twisting the tap. Inevitably, the flow weakens and results in unusability or contortionism to obtain a mouthful of pipe-flavoured refreshment. Their ubiquity is nice, but I try not to use them. The ban on bottled water being effectively a ban on spring water rather than tap seems to betray its true intentions.

[@tomdonnellan7920]

It is hot as shit?

[@garrywallace1007]

I have come across a few cooled water public drinking fountains here in Adelaide......not sure about anywhere else.

[@tomdonnellan7920]

@@garrywallace1007 I mean't the place not the water. The reason for many drinking fountains, it is hot as shit.