A new public water cooler offering free, and chilled water has been installed along the Pedieos River, marking a step forward in efforts to promote sustainability and reduce single-use plastics in Nicosia.

The initiative is part of the first ‘Pedieos River Sustainable Festival’, which aims to encourage environmentally friendly practices and raise awareness about responsible water consumption.

The official inauguration of the water cooler will take place on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 10.30am, with Nicosia mayor Charalamos Prountzos officiating the event. This installation is one of four coolers placed along the river to encourage the public to use refillable bottles instead of plastic ones.

Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) president, Philippos Droushiotis, highlighted the environmental impact of the initiative: “By providing access to free drinking water, we are taking a concrete step toward reducing plastic waste and fostering a more sustainable lifestyle. We are especially grateful to ExxonMobil Cyprus for its generous funding, which demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental protection and a cleaner future for the Pedieos River.”

Ahead of the inauguration, a cleanup campaign will be conducted in the area surrounding the water cooler. Volunteers from CSTI and students from American Academy Nicosia will take part in the effort, emphasising the importance of preserving natural spaces and combating plastic pollution.

CSTI encouraged the public to participate in the event and support the initiative, which aims to inspire people to make small but meaningful changes in their daily habits to contribute to a more sustainable environment.