All 29 public drinking fountains in Bratislava's Petržalka district are at risk of disappearing. Local authorities are considering shutting them off if continuous acts of vandalism do not stop, as they cause significant financial damage.
The problem has become systematic: in just one week, four fountains on Ševčenkova, Bogrová, Plánková streets, and near Rentgenova were damaged. In the latter case, vandals stole not only the faucet but also the entire sink. This forced local authorities to issue a strong statement about the possible closure of all points with free drinking water.
What is the problem?
Vandalism takes various forms: from blocking drains with stones and trash to completely destroying structures. Municipal service workers regularly repair the equipment, but it almost immediately becomes a victim of offenders again.
"It's an endless fight. We repair, and they break. Replacing a washer is one thing, but buying and installing a new sink is a completely different expense," the municipality states.
District authorities emphasize that all repair costs are covered by the local budget, meaning from taxpayers' money. If the situation does not change, the administration will be forced to take extreme measures, as already happened with public bike racks, which were also dismantled due to constant theft and damage.
How to report damage and where to find water
Local authorities urge residents to be vigilant and caring. If you witness an act of vandalism, you must immediately report it to the city police.
Information about an already damaged fountain can be submitted through the specialized portal podnety.petrzalka.sk. This will allow municipal services to respond to incidents faster.
While the fate of the fountains in Petržalka remains uncertain, residents and visitors of Bratislava can find the nearest drinking water source on the city-wide interactive map supported by the Bratislava Water Company (BVS).
