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Summary for: High heat triggers free drinking water at Czech train and bus stationsTravelers in Czechia will be able to access free chilled drinking water at selected train and bus stations this summer on days when temperatures are forecast to exceed 30 degrees Celsius, under a new heat-triggered system launched by water tech company Lokni.
The initiative will automatically activate at 15 public water stations located at major transport hubs, including railway and bus terminals across the country. The system is designed to respond to daily weather forecasts, switching to a free-use mode whenever a high heat day is expected.
The move comes as Czechia prepares for another summer of heatwaves, with meteorologists warning that the country could see more days over 30 degrees Celsius than last year.
Free water on hot days
Under the new system, users will be able to fill up with chilled filtered water without needing a mobile app or making any payment when the heat threshold is reached. On cooler days, the stations require app-based access for a limited amount of free water (0.5 liters) and offer paid options for higher volumes.
Lokni says the change is intended to make access to drinking water easier during the most physically demanding weather conditions, particularly in busy transport locations where people may be travelling without sufficient water.
“The idea is that drinking water in cities should be as standard as public lighting or transport,” Lokni chief executive Petr Kasa told iDnes.cz. He added that demand for water at the company’s stations increases significantly during hot weather.
According to the company, usage at its stations can double on particularly warm days compared with cooler periods.
Clean drinking water in Prague?
The company’s announcement also touches on a broader debate in Czech cities about access to public drinking water during heatwaves. Lokni has previously argued that traditional city drinking fountains are not always in a condition that inspires public confidence, leading some people to opt for bottled water instead.
City officials, however, reject claims that municipal fountains are unreliable, pointing to regular maintenance and hygiene controls.
In Prague, the Technical Administration of Roads says its network of public drinking fountains and water features is fully functional and cleaned ahead of each summer season. It also plans to expand the system with additional fountains in several neighborhoods.
Lokni operates 15 automated filtration stations nationwide at transport hubs such as Prague’s main railway stations and bus terminals, and 70+ terminals in local schools.
