A WaterTap Trailer being purchased by the city of Elgin will allow festival-goers to fill up water bottles for free at public events instead of buying disposable, single-use containers.
Described as a mobile self-service hydration station, the $40,000 trailer will be funded with money donated through Lakeshore Recycling System’s Annual Green Initiative. Under the program, LRS contributes $25,000 to the fund annually per its garbage contract with the city.
The Elgin City Council approved the purchase at its meeting Wednesday night and will finalize the contract at its next meeting.
Allowing people to obtain free water using their own reusable bottles will cut down on the waste produced by plastic bottles, which end up in the trash and ultimately take up space in landfills for hundreds of years, officials said.
It should also reduce on the amount of waste generated at city events, Mayor Dave Kaptain said.
“One of the things that has really bothered me (with) the use of plastic bottles (is) I see them deposited near trash barrels, not in them,” he said. “I think this is really an innovative way to alleviate it.”
The self-service trailer holds about 500 gallons of chilled water in a food-grade storage tank with a built-in filtration system, according to city information. No electricity is needed to access the water through 10 stainless-steel dispensers.
The unmanned unit is expected to make its debut June 13 at the Michelada Festival at Festival Park. The city’s Cultural Arts and Special Events department will schedule it to be at Elgin-sponsored events like parades and festivals and water department staff will be responsible for its setup.
The trailer will only be used during the summer, officials said. Off-season it will be winterized and stored.
City Manager Rick Kozal told the council that while the unit supports waste reduction, it also ensures that people have access to drinking water during large outdoor events, particularly those held when it’s hot.
The trailer has five sides that can be customized with local graphics and features a 42-inch TV that can be used for messages. Kozal said the city plans to add graphics and messages promoting sustainability in the hope that it will become a visible platform for Elgin’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.
Councilman Corey Dixon lauded Public Works Director Aaron Neal and city staff for negotiating a contract with LRS that included in-kind funding for sustainability efforts.
The LRS contract also included a new organics program that provides weekly curbside collection of certain foods and yard waste.
More recently, the council expanded its sustainability commitment by approving a ban on the single-use plastic bags by large retailers like Jewel, Target and Walmart, which goes into effect in June 2027. Smaller businesses are exempt.
Councilwoman Diana Alfardo also applauded the plan to buy the water trailer, calling it a “wonderful idea.”
While planned for use during the summer, she suggested the city also consider having it available at the Nightmare on Chicago Street fest in October and making it available for non-city-sponsored events. Kozal said he would look into the possibilities.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
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