BELFAST — The Creation Care Committee of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Belfast, announces a public fundraising campaign for three public access refillable water bottle stations, with attached pet water bowls, for downtown Belfast.

The Committee obtained an enthusiastic unanimous vote of approval from the Belfast City Council on Tuesday, March 7, to raise approximately $20,000 for the purchase and installation of the stations, according to the Committee, in a news release. After installation, the water stations will be owned and maintained by the City. Two will be sited at either end of the Harbor Walk, near the Boathouse and the Armistice footbridge. The third location is yet to be determined, but will be in a location convenient for shoppers in the downtown area.

Belfast currently has only two public sources of drinking water, both on or near the Belfast Common, not easily seen or accessible by the public. These additional stations will enable residents and tourists alike to use refillable water bottles, thus eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.

For the stations to be in place by summer, the Committee hopes to complete the fundraising campaign by April 30. Friends of Belfast Parks, a 501(c)(3) organization is the fiscal agent for this project, and deductions are tax-deductible. Checks should be mailed to Friends of Belfast Parks, P.O. Box 947, Belfast, ME 04915.