Department of Public Health, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2018 Feb;42(1):83-85. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12730. Epub 2017 Oct 18.
Drinking fountains are a public amenity that may help counter the obesogenic environment (sugary beverages) and reduce the risk of heat stroke during heat waves. As a case study, we aimed to survey all public fountains in a city: Wellington, New Zealand, and to determine the utility of Google Street View in studying drinking fountains.
Using a sample of all public drinking fountains in a City Council map, a field observer assessed their exact location and tap functionality, and photographed them. Google Street View was also used by the field observer and an independent observer to attempt fountain detection.
There were 47 fountains, found in only 6% of children's playgrounds and 29% of the parks (for a sample of the 10 largest suburbs). While the field observations showed that all 74 taps at the fountains delivered water, only 47% had taps for easy filling of drinking water bottles, and only 15% had bowls for dogs to drink from. Visible discolouration from algae/metal degradation was adjacent to 47% of nozzles. Google Street View detection of fountains by the field observer was successful for 68% and for 52% by the independent observer.
The fountains were of generally high quality, but discolouration around the nozzle was common. Implications for public health: Additional investment in public fountains may be needed.
饮水机是一种公共设施，可能有助于对抗致肥胖环境（含糖饮料），并降低热浪期间中暑的风险。作为一个案例研究，我们旨在调查一个城市（新西兰惠灵顿）的所有公共饮水机，并确定谷歌街景在研究饮水机方面的实用性。
使用市议会地图上所有公共饮水机的样本，现场观察员评估了它们的确切位置和龙头功能，并对其进行了拍照。现场观察员和独立观察员还使用谷歌街景来尝试检测喷泉。
共发现 47 个喷泉，仅在 6%的儿童游乐区和 29%的公园（10 个最大的郊区样本）中找到。虽然现场观察表明，喷泉的 74 个龙头都能出水，但只有 47%的龙头便于灌装饮用水瓶，只有 15%的龙头有碗供狗饮用。藻类/金属降解造成的可见变色与 47%的喷嘴相邻。现场观察员使用谷歌街景检测到了 68%的喷泉，独立观察员检测到了 52%的喷泉。
饮水机的总体质量较高，但喷嘴周围的变色很常见。对公共卫生的影响：可能需要对公共饮水机进行更多投资。
