Capping water bottle use

A group that works to make Salem and Beverly greener has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing the use of water bottles at public events in the two cities. The Citizens for Salem/Beverly Water Resources recently procured five 7-gallon water canteens that may be borrowed at no charge for public events. The canteens are filled with tap water. Members of the public can pump the water into their empty water bottles or into recyclable plastic cups, thus reducing the number of plastic bottles that would otherwise be used. Already, the canteens have been used at several events in Salem — Salem Sound Coastwatch’s recent swim and road races and a Northeast Animal Shelter event — and organizers estimate they eliminated the need for 350 water bottles. For more information or to reserve a canteen, call the city’s Engineering Department at 978-619-5679. — John Laidler