‘Refill Reuse Regatta’ Champions #DrinkTapPHL

Philadelphia Water and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta are teaming up to reduce litter and advocate for public drinking water. 

We are proud to support the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta (HOSR) again this year as they take the fight against wasteful single-use water bottles to the banks of the Schuylkill River.

The regatta’s organizers recognize the incredible value of our top-quality drinking water and want more people to choose reusable bottles, especially when using our waterfront parks. They’ll be making it easier for the estimated 40,000-50,000 spectators and competitors to do just that at this year’s race, to be held October 29-30 at the Grandstands along Kelly Drive.

They’re even giving the effort a name this year—the “Refill Reuse Regatta.”

As the Schuylkill Navy and their Schuylkill Navy River Stewards Committee will tell you, so much of the litter found along the banks and even floating in the river comes from plastic bottles.

Since so many people who row on the Schuylkill or are involved in watershed cleanups know that our drinking water is affordable, healthy and environmentally friendly, it can be frustrating to see so many single-use water bottles end up as litter in our parks and waterways.

That is a big part of what’s driving HOSR's efforts to educate the rowing community and others about making the smart choice when it comes to drinking water options.
Their goals for 2016 are to “get very close to full reliance by rowers, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators on refillable water bottles, greatly reduce solid waste volumes and approach becoming a litter-free regatta.”

For our part, Philadelphia Water is (once again!) donating 15,000 reusable bottles and will set up portable water filling stations to support our new network of permanent water stations along Kelly Drive.

The water bottle distribution tables and water refill stations will be located at the Festival Tent, the Finish Line, St. Joe’s Boathouse and University Barge Club. You can find one of our water permanent water stations—featuring a fountain, water bottle filler and drinking bowl for dogs—at the Grandstands on Kelly Drive. Get details about the HOSR event here, and check out this map of our water stations.

Heading to the Schuylkill this weekend and plan take advantage of Philadelphia’s fantastic drinking water? Take a picture when you fill up and share it with us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and use the #DrinkTapPHL hashtag to show your support for ditching wasteful single-use bottles!

Watch the #DrinkTapPHL vs. Bottled Water video: