Carruthers Creek kids encouraged to turn on the tap in Ajax

AJAX -- The Town of Ajax wants thirsty residents to turn on the tap instead of grabbing bottles of water.

To that end, officials recently launched a 'Tap into It!' public education campaign at Carruthers Creek Public School. The event included a performance from J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate's drama club and students received reusable bottles to use instead of bottled water.

Ajax council voted last summer to stop selling bottled water at its rec centres and arenas and special events. The bottles have been pulled from the Ajax Community Centre and Sportsplex and the goal is to completely phase out the sale of bottled water by 2011. In some locations it's taking longer to phase out the bottles because of the Town's existing contracts.

Instead of bottled water, residents are encouraged to take reusable containers to Town facilities and special events and the water fountains at community centres are being fitted with bottle filler attachments. New parks and facilities will all have access to municipal water through water fountains and the sale of water at special events will be phased out by 2010.

For more information about the 'Tap into It!' campaign, residents can visit townofajax.com.