BUSINESSES across the county are being asked to become a water refill station.

Essex and Suffolk Water is encouraging cafes, bars, restaurants and any other businesses to sign up and register as a refill station.

The scheme, run alongside Essex Waste Partnership, means members of the public can top up refillable bottles while out and about.

Businesses can get involved by signing up to the free Refill app and putting a window sticker up to alert passers-by they are welcome to fill up their bottles for free.

Heidi Mottram, chief executive of Essex and Suffolk Water, said: “We want everyone across Essex to really get behind the Refill campaign, so we can make it as easy as possible for people to stay hydrated with great tasting tap water on the move, and reject those single-use plastic bottles that can have such a devastating impact on our environment.”

The Refill app will also let people know where their nearest Refill station is.

Simon Walsh, who is chairman of Essex Waste Partnership added: “We’re excited to be the first waste partnership to support the Refill Essex campaign, as it is a fantastic opportunity to work with businesses to provide free and easily accessible water to everyone in Essex.”

To sign up, email refill@nwl.co.uk or visit refill.org.uk.

Alternatively for Maldon district stations contact ben.page@maldon.gov.uk