With the arrival of warmer weather, the operation of free-access drinking water filling points, or so-called free taps, installed in the capital's parks, which were suspended during the winter season, will gradually resume in Riga over the Easter holidays. Similarly, fountains under the control of the local government are also resuming their operation.
“Last year, we installed 11 new free taps in various neighbourhoods of Riga, including Victory (Uzvaras) Park, providing an opportunity to drink for skaters, rollerbladers, and other adherents of an active and sporty lifestyle. Water from the city water supply is provided for these water filling points, and the water provided is clean, high-quality, safe for use, and is regularly tested. "Promoting access to drinking water in the capital is one of our priorities, and this year we plan to build at least ten new free taps in various neighbourhoods of Riga," emphasises Viesturs Zeps, Chairman of the Housing and Environment Committee of the Riga City Council.
The first free taps will be activated in parks where Easter celebrations are planned – two in the Park Uzvara, as well as in the Park Ziemeļblāzma and Opera Square near the Old Riga. It is planned that the Central Market free tap will also begin operation, after which the others will be gradually tested and connected.
Free access drinking water filling points
There are currently more than 30 drinking water filling points in Riga. Only four of the free taps managed by LLC "Rīgas ūdens" do not cease their operation in winter (at 133 Jūrmalas gatve, 65 Voleru Street, 17 Mazā Vējzaķsala and 6 Kundziņsala 9th Transverse Line), but the rest are restored to operation in the summer season.
This year, it is planned to create approximately ten new free taps, the locations for their installation will be selected by the Riga Municipality Housing and Environment Department in consultation with neighbourhood associations.
You can follow the current situation on the map of free taps on the "Rīgas ūdens" website: https://www.rigasudens.lv/lv/udens-brivkranu-karte
Fountains
The fountain season has already been opened by the municipal company "Rīgas meži" - fountains in Opera Square and Vērmanes Garden have begun operating. After that, the other fountains will also be activated.
There are 13 fountains under the supervision of the Riga Municipality – ten stationary and three floating, which have been transferred to the management of the company "Rīgas meži".
City dwellers, especially families with children, are fond of Riga's largest fountain - at the Congress House and two fountains with pools on the Esplanade square.
The pride of Riga is located in the Vērmanes Garden - the oldest fountain "Seasons". Its sculpture was made in Berlin and installed in 1869 and was the most luxurious decorative sculptural work of its type in the city at the time. The original sculpture, which had suffered from vandalism, had to be dismantled in 1972. Sculptor Mirdza Lukaža made a replica, which the municipality installed in 1978.
One of the most famous fountains in Riga – “Nympha” – is located near the Latvian National Opera. This fountain, created by sculptor Augusts Folcs in 1887, is a monument of art of national importance. A bronze copy of the fountain sculptures was created in 1986 by sculptor Mirdza Lukaža; the original is kept in the Rundāle Palace.
The decorative pool in Grīziņkalns near the sculpture "Lutausis" and the reconstructed pool in the Ziedoņdārzs Park will also delight and cool off both young and old on hot summer days. The Ziedoņdārzs Park also houses the renovated fountain “Vardītes,” which was built at the same time as the park was being built.
The fountain “Bastejkalns Cascade” is located by the City Canal, the history of which began in 1880, and three floating fountains are located in the canal itself.
The range of fountains is planned to be expanded by gradually renovating the fountain "Sumpurnis, Bārenīte, Mātesmeita" in the Kronvalda Park and the Viesturdārzas fountain.
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Acting Director at the External Communication Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.