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New European Bauhaus
News article17 January 2021

A students project

We are interested to see experimental and innovative projects from students and young professionals.

drinking water distribution "Berliner Leitungen"
Kim Kuhl

A students project by Kim Kuhl:

The kind of cities we need. How could I turn our drinking water found in the supply lines under the streets into a common good in public space, that really is used by the general public?

seeing local resources: Berlin‘s tap water 
Berlin’s tap water is drinking water.
Access to the water pipes can be found everywhere in the city: Pavement hydrants are located every 100-150m on the pavements.

using local resources: 'Berliner Leitung‘ 
‘Berliner Leitung’ is a fitting placed on the opened pavement hydrant and taps the water directly from the supply lines, making it available and easily accessible to the public.

features
‘Berliner Leitung’ allows firefighters to easily locate and maintain the closest hydrants.
The greywater from the ‘Berliner Leitung’ is used to irrigate urban green spaces and remain a part of the urban water cycle.
Due to the simple coupling of the ‘Berliner Leitung’ to the pavement hydrants, it can be installed quickly and is flexible in its distribution throughout the city.
‘Berliner Leitung’ integrates into the urban space in a space-saving manner.
The green pipe, having a clear form and color, is intended to also function as a symbol and marker for european cities that drink water directly from the pipeline.

impact
'Berliner Leitung‘ makes drinking water in Berlin’s public spaces accessible in a sustainable and comprehensive way. It focusses on seeing and using local resources to create a participatory and common solution with a local and global impact:
Through everyday shared use of the 'Berliner Leitung‘, the emerging participatory community and movement, drinking from the tap as statement, makes a contribution to climate protection.
In the long run, a cultural change is to be generated, through which disposable bottles for drinking water are no longer needed. 

Details

Publication date
17 January 2021