Public institutions and economic operators will have to ensure free access to drinking water, following a legislative project aimed at improving access to water in public spaces.

A new legislative project provides for the obligation of institutions and public authorities, healthcare units, educational institutions, and economic operators managing metro stations, train stations, bus stations, and airports to ensure free access to drinking water. The project comes in response to the current deficiencies in regulating access to drinking water in public spaces, where citizens are often forced to buy bottled water due to the lack of hydration points.

This situation particularly affects vulnerable individuals and contributes to the increase of plastic waste. The initiative provides for the installation of water dispensers in waiting and transit areas, and their operation will be conditioned on hygiene measures and the provision of biodegradable cups. The project must be adopted by Parliament and promulgated by the president of the country to come into force.