Parched people in Greater Lansing are beginning to get some relief. Officials turned off water fountains throughout Michigan because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
But Lansing’s parks director hopes water will be turned back at all city parks and community centers in time for the July 4th weekend.
A few Lansing fountains already have been turned on. “We just got a thank you note today from someone that was using the trail and obviously noticed that these were turned back on,” Lansing Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske said. “I think people are very understanding knowing that we are just coming out of the pandemic.”
The East Lansing and Ingham County Parks Departments turned public fountains back on last month after more than a year of shutoffs.
Water fountains are low risk for COVID-19 transmission, although diseases can spread through saliva, Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail says. She suggests letting the water run before you take a sip or using a bottle-fill station over a traditional fountain.
“You can’t always guarantee that someone who used a water fountain before you used it in a way that was completely hygienic,” Vail said.