Drinking water fountains in public facilities (LES)

Verified 22 July 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The public institutions (LES) able to accommodate 301 people and more must be equipped with drinking water fountains. We explain the regulations.

One drinking water fountain is a drinking water distribution device:

  • Connected to a drinking water network
  • And allowing filling of a container for a beverage (for example a bottle or a glass).

The public institutions (LES) can accommodate simultaneously 301 or more people (1re, 2è or 3è ERP categories) are required to be equipped with drinking water fountains accessible to the public.

When the establishment is connected to a drinking water network, these fountains must be connected to it.

ERPs that can accommodate between 301 and 600 people shall be equipped withat least 1 drinking water fountain.

Over 600 people, the number of drinking water fountains is increased by 1 fountain per additional 300 people.

By way of illustration, the table below details the number of drinking water fountains required for LESs that can accommodate up to 1,800 people:

Tableau - Minimum number of drinking water fountains to be fitted to an ERP depending on its capacity

Number of people who can be accommodated in the ERP

Number of minimum drinking water fountains to be settled in the ERP

0 - 300

0

301-600

1

601 - 900

2

901 - 1,200

3

1,201 - 1,500

4

1,501 - 1,800

5

Example :

An ERP that can accommodate up to 3,596 people must be equipped with at least 11 drinking water fountains.

Drinking water fountains subject to the obligation are indicated by a visible signage (e.g. a display) and their access is free and open.

In the case of an obligation, the failure to make drinking water fountains available to the public may be punished by a fine of €1,500 (natural persons) or €7,500 (legal persons).