Coastal Fountain Fund

Coastal Fountain Fund is sponsored by Sea-Changers (sponsored by Bunzl plc). This programme provides funding to groups and organisations who wish to install water bottle refill fountains on UK beaches or other coastal sites.

Coastal Fountain Fund 2026 | Sea-Changers Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund 2026 We're pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Coastal Fountain Fund The fund aims to protect coastal habitats from the harmful effects of single-use plastic water bottles by supporting communities to purchase water refill fountains for busy or environmentally significant coastal areas.

​ Grants of up to £2,500 are available, per applicant, towards the cost of a fountain. We welcome applications from all types of not-for-profit organisations who have identified a need and are well-placed to build the stakeholder involvement needed to make the project a success. Part of our funding this year comes from Our Only World - a marine conservation charity who designed and built their own bottle refill fountain.

Their funding will be allocated to organisations applying for an Our Only World fountain. The closing date for applications is 28th February 2026. Please read the CFF Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria before applying​​.

They'll help you decide if your proposed location is eligible and whether you're likely to be in a position to make a successful bid. We also suggest you read Refill's guidance aimed at organisations and groups who are looking to install water fountains for the benefit of the community and the environment.

There can be a few hoops to jump through in getting a fountain installed, and stakeholder engagement is key to deliverability - this guide will help you understand what's involved. We've produced a help guide - a version of the application form with help notes. It'll give you info and advice to help you write a successful application.

Complete the Coastal Fountain Fund application form . Use the help guide and eligibility document to help you. Return the application form to info@sea-changers.

org. uk . The closing date is 28th February 2026 .

You'll receive an acknowledgement of your application and timescales for a decision. When the grant panel has made their final decision, we'll write to you and let you know the outcome of your application. ​ Frequently asked questions What sort of fountains do you fund?

We only fund fountains suitable for filling water bottles - either floor or wall mounted. Fountains must be publicly available - this normally means an outdoor fountain. For guidance on the most suitable fountain to buy please read the Refill guidelines (see link in the 'How to apply' section above).

Refill recommend a WRAS approved water fountain. Previous applicants have bought their fountains from suppliers such as Oasis , Water Refill Group , Washware Essentials , The Water Cooler Company and Thirsty Work . For the 2026 fund we have a contribution from Our Only World a marine conservation charity who designed and built their own fountain made partly from recycled marine plastic.

Their money will be allocated to successful applicants who apply for OOW fountain. Some suppliers also work with installation partners and can also provide ongoing maintenance. We recommend you talk to potential suppliers about the best fountain for your needs.

How much do fountains cost? Most fountains installed by previous applicants cost between £2,000 - £3,000 although they can be as little as £1,200 and up to £4,000. The maximum grant we will allocate is £2,500.

If the fountain costs less than this we'll only give you a grant for the actual cost. What’s the best fountain for my particular location? ​​​​​​ Fountains must be publicly available and this generally means an outdoor model is needed that can withstand coastal weather.

For guidance on the best fountain for your chosen location talk to the fountain suppliers. They will be able to guide you on the suitability of fountains for specific locations. How much does installation cost?

We recommend you speak to a plumber or contractor who is already familiar with the site or who can do a site survey to get an installation estimate. Costs depend on the type of fountain, whether a water supply is already available, where the water meter will be fitted, whether the mounting surface is suitable etc. Some suppliers work with installation partners and can also provide ongoing maintenance.

Can we apply for the installation cost? No, we only give a grant towards the cost of the fountain itself. We’ve had funding before.

Can we apply again? You can apply again but it is likely that priority will be given to new applicants. Advice from previous applicants We asked previous applicants what advice they'd give to other organisations based on their experience applying for a grant and purchasing, installing and maintaining their fountain.

The following are some of their key insights into what to do and think about before you apply. “Be prepared for a few unanticipated costs! Try to allow some leeway in your budget, to cover anything unexpected that crops up in the installation process – for instance additional plumbing work or supplies.

” “Don’t forget about ongoing maintenance. Our fountain needed a repair, and we found it difficult to find a local plumber to replace a part. In the end, we took out a service plan with the fountain provider which covered the repair and twice-yearly maintenance visits."

“Remember that everything takes longer than you think! The more research and preparation you do before applying for a grant, the better your chances of success. ” “The support of our local Council has been crucial to the success of our project.

The Council used their contractors to install the fountain and agreed to the ongoing maintenance as part of the regular checks of the toilet block where the fountain is situated. Getting the Council on side would be our number one top tip! ” “Try to simplify things as much as possible.

Choose a site that already has a water supply if you can. Ideally, go for a location on Council owned land so that you’re not having to deal with a private landowner as well as the Council. ” “Can a water meter can be fitted to monitor usage of the fountain?

We didn’t realise this isn’t always possible. Remember to allow for costs of fitting a meter in your overall budget. ’ The map below shows the fountains we've funded since the fund first opened in 2020.

Click on a tap icon on the map to learn more about an individual fountain. Or click on the icon top-left in the grey bar to view a list of all funded fountains.