Newport puts public water station in bus terminal

Local industry leader in water provisioning, Newport Water, was welcomed by the Barbados Transport Board in their drive for national well-being and in the fight against single-use plastics. Today, Newport unveiled the first public water station in the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal in Bridgetown, as part of their Hydrate Barbados initiative.

Through Hydrate Barbados, Newport is working hard to combat societal challenges by deploying free, hygienic water stations across the island. With a high sense of urgency surrounding tackling NCDs in Barbados, launching in this high traffic hub is timely. Thousands of Barbadians are set to benefit from this station daily.

Location sponsor, Rock Hard Cement, was keen to come on board to ensure purified drinking water is accessible to Barbadians on the go. Commuters passing through the Terminal can now easily refill their reusable bottles with cold/room temperature water.

Almost two weeks into No Sugar November, all Barbadians are being urged to choose water as their hydration option.

These convenient water stations will reduce the need to buy sugar-sweetened beverages which are a key culprit in the war against NCDs.

Barbados has a high elderly and NCD vulnerable population. COVID-19 is an ever-present threat to our citizens, and persons living with NCDs are more vulnerable to acquiring infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Minister of Health Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic, recently informed that in the next five years, there will be an eight per cent increase in the number of Barbadians diagnosed with a non-communicable disease. Additionally, eight out of ten leading causes of death in Barbados are by NCDs, specifically heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

NCDs remain the biggest strain on the health services sector.

On November 1st, the QEH reported that there were no more available beds in the island’s main hospital. We have surpassed a point of no return and must act quickly to change the current trajectory.

We in the Caribbean have long realized that NCDs are our major health threat. NCDs, COVID-19, climate change and environmental degradation are pushing down our doors and leaving a huge economic impact. We encourage Barbadians to play their part and “fill up” on healthy drinking water habits, while being environmentally conscious.

“We estimate that purchasing plastic bottled water to meet daily health recommendations would lead to a massive eight billion bottles of plastic waste in Barbados each year, which end up filling up our landfills and polluting our oceans. Providing access to free, clean, drinking water encourages people to change their habits, and carrying a water bottle is an easy (and cost friendly) habit anyone can adopt. A few small changes can make a big impact.

Newport extends the opportunity to participate in this initiative exclusively to our clients, who, by choosing our services, have already made a commitment to reduce plastic waste and invest in the health of their staff and customers.

The business-branded stations are easily identifiable, and the company has found an innovative way to overcome typical difficulties experienced with public water fountains.

The Springer Memorial School was the first to benefit after the installation of their own Hydration Station in February, with the St. Michael School following quickly after, both thanks to sponsor, The Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union. The Lester Vaughan Secondary School is also enjoying purified drinking water thanks to First Caribbean International Bank.

The new Hydration Station is a convenient and necessary addition to Bridgetown. Newport is calling on corporate Barbados to get involved by sponsoring their own branded Hydration Station. The Fairchild Street location is the first stage in the development
of a public network of stations, as we make it our priority to “Hydrate Barbados”. (PR)