Phoenix reports early success for chilled public drinking-water pilot
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Summary
City staff told the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee that a small pilot of chilled drinking-water units downtown has dispensed about 14,000 gallons, produced water between 65°F and 73°F with the chiller running, and prompted plans for more units funded partly by a $154,000 grant from the Gila River Indian Community.
Phoenix — City staff on Wednesday told the City of Phoenix Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee that a pilot program to expand chilled public drinking water downtown has shown measurable use and informs plans for wider rollout.
Michael Hammett, a project presenter for the initiative, said the program began in 2023 and used community workshops and business surveys to design units and select pilot locations. "We began this project back in 2023," Hammett said, and noted partners included Downtown Phoenix Inc., Hands on Greater Phoenix and Bloomberg Associates.
The update described three existing pilot units and monitoring that staff said showed strong summer use. "Collectively for the 3 units, [we have seen] 14,000 gallons of water dispensed," Project Lead Danielle Vermeer said. Vermeer added that the total dispensed equates to roughly 106,000 standard single-use plastic bottles.
Vermeer also summarized technical evaluations of the units. "We've seen anywhere from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 73 degrees Fahrenheit," she said of water temperatures with the chillers operating, and contrasted that with readings of about 103°F when the chillers were not running. She said surface-temperature testing and small-area applications of cooling paint or vinyl lowered surface temperatures by about six degrees in initial tests.
The pilot used vendor-built units and a monitoring program that includes remote cloud sensors and flow meters for usage and leak detection. Hammett said the team also conducted daily checks and partnered with Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Hands on Greater Phoenix on maintenance models; Gabe Vasquez of Hands on Greater Phoenix led volunteer maintenance for one pilot site.
Staff described funding and next sites for expansion. Hammett said the city secured a $154,000 grant from the Gila River Indian Community spread over three years and also identified support from the Arizona Community Foundation and council innovation funds. Planned future locations include the Herberger Theater (in partnership with the convention center), the city's homeless solutions campus at 70 First Avenue and Desert West Park in West Phoenix, with additional units procured by partner organizations.
Council members asked about results and partnerships. Councilwoman Deborah Stark said she appreciated the work and results. Hammett and Vermeer said they had run a community survey in December that had collected more than 200 responses and that usage is highest in June through August.
Why it matters: city staff framed the project as a public-health and heat-mitigation measure that also reduces single-use plastic. The data from the pilot — flow-meter totals, temperature readings and remote-sensor reporting — is being used to refine unit design, siting and maintenance partnerships before wider deployment.
Looking ahead: staff said six additional units are in development and that the program will continue to target locations near transit, parks and other high-foot-traffic public amenities. The city will pair sensor data, community survey responses and partnership funding when deciding where to place future units.