Cologne in heat fever: Now free drinking water at 13 fountains!

Cologne in heat fever: Now free drinking water at 13 fountains!

The city of Cologne is facing an impending heat wave that will bring temperatures of over 35 degrees - that's what the German Weather Service says. In the worst case, temperatures could even reach 39 degrees. To help Cologne residents during these hot days, the city is setting up a total of thirteen free drinking water fountains and has numerous refill stations available that enable drinking vessels to be refilled. This action is not only intended to provide refreshment, but also to protect against heat strokes, which can be dangerous in such extreme temperatures. t-online.de informed that the fountains are in operation from April to October and are regularly checked for hygiene.

Where can I find the nearest water dispensers? In Cologne, the drinking fountains are strategically distributed throughout the city. More than 50 shops, cafés and restaurants support the refill campaign by providing free tap water. People can refill fresh water here at any time, wherever they are looking for a thirst quencher. If you want to know where the nearest stations are, the initiative has made an overview available online that will certainly help you. 24rhein.de offers a detailed list of well locations:

• Zeppelinstraße (Höhe Rewe To Go)
• Eigelsteintorburg
• Deutzer Freiheit (Höhe St. Heribert)
• Bonner Straße (Höhe Apotheke Zum Goldenen Horn)
• Subbelrather Straße (Höhe Blücherpark und Takufeld)
• Jahnwiese (Höhe Adenauer-Weiher)
• Neuer Sportpark (Höhe Merheimer Straße)
• Sportanlage Weichselring (Höhe Skatepark Park Blumenberg)
• Maternusplatz
• Barcelona-Allee (Höhe Bürgerpark)
• Jan-Wellem-Straße (Höhe südlicher Teil des Mülheimer Stadtgartens)
• Bahnhofstraße (Höhe Adler Apotheke in der Fußgängerzone)

The health risks of the heat

As pleasant as the warm temperatures may be, they also pose risks, especially for health. Loud ZDF Many people, especially older people or those with previous illnesses, experience health problems during heatwaves. In the summer of 2022, there were around 9,100 heat-related deaths in Germany - more than from traffic accidents and drug use combined. Experts therefore recommend drinking enough, at least 1.5 to 3 liters of water daily. But physical exertion should also be avoided during the hottest times of the day to reduce the risk of dehydration.

The Cologne city administration has already set up a heat portal that offers practical tips for hot days. For example, it is recommended to take a lukewarm shower, cool yourself with damp towels, wear light clothing and seek sufficient shade. Relatives should also pay particular attention to older people, those who live alone or those who are chronically ill so that they can quickly identify early warning signs of overheating.

With this in mind: stay hydrated, enjoy the sun responsibly and take advantage of the drinking options provided on site!