A NEW water refill point has been installed on Burnham-on-Sea's Esplanade to help reduce plastic waste and littering. 

An old waterspout on the side of the BARB Search & Rescue building has been replaced by the new free-to-use tap.

A Sedgemoor District Council spokesperson said: “During the current hot weather, visitors and residents to Burnham-on-Sea will be doubly pleased to see a new water refill point located on the BARB building on the Esplanade.

“The refill point replaces an old waterspout and provides clean, fresh drinking water.

“Water refill points help reduce plastic waste, littering and saving money at the same time!

“Instead of buying a new bottle of water, which creates unnecessary plastic waste, residents will be able to refill their own bottles, reducing our reliance on single-use plastic, in line the council's resolution to reducing waste and in line with Sedgemoor's Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan.”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: The water refill point will cut down on plastic waste. Picture: Sedgemoor District Council The water refill point will cut down on plastic waste. Picture: Sedgemoor District Council

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council launched its Refill Burnham-on-Sea initiative in December 2018 to reduce plastic waste in the town.

The scheme aimed to encourage local businesses to allow passers-by to fill up their bottles for free. 

The town council offered free water refills at the Princess Theatre and its offices under the initiative, supported by Litter Free Coast & Sea Somerset.

The BARB station on the Esplanade had already signed up to the Refill Burnham-on-Sea scheme, but the new refill point will make it easier than ever for people to stay hydrated on the seafront.

Former town clerk Tatiana Cant championed the scheme in Burnham. 

She said: “Here in Burnham-on-Sea, we’re rightly proud of the area’s wonderful coastline.

“Plastics, including single-use plastic bottles, are now the most frequently found type of litter on UK beaches and you don’t have to look far to find them littering our towns and green spaces too.

“Refill Burnham-on-Sea gives us all the opportunity to help make this type of litter a thing of the past at the same time as saving money.”