Los Angeles installs temporary drinking fountains on skid row

As the weather warms up, Los Angeles has installed temporary drinking fountains on skid row.

The seven temporary fountains, which filter water from fire hydrants, were put in areas with large homeless populations, according to the LA Times.

SKID ROW- This morning at 6am, #DepartmentOfWaterAndPower installed a drinking water fountain on the southwest corner of 5th and San Julian street directly in front of San Julian Park (a unit was also installed in front of Gladys Park yesterday)…I spoke with the #DWP personnel while he worked…His name is Sergio…He was very friendly and cordial….I asked him who made this happen….His reply- "The Mayor". PROPS to #MayorGarcetti for listening to our cries for help and acting quickly by providing our community with drinking water solutions just in time of the expected massive heatwave that has already begun, reaching triple-digits….I also asked Sergio if he knew how long the drinking water fountains would remain…He said he "Wasn't sure but from what I've heard maybe a couple months". Actually, we need these YEAR-ROUND because there is a tremendous amount of people who are severely dehydrated and undernourished in Skid Row…Great work to all involved parties!!!…And by the way, it took Sergio less than 5 minutes to complete the installation!….Very efficieant!….I watched for a while afterward as our community members INSTANTLY began drinking from the water fountain….I love it when our thoughts take life and the people benefit!…Well done all!!!!…Thank you! #CityOfLosAngeles #VisitSkidRow #SkidRow #DowntownLosAngeles #DTLA #StillGotAlottaWorkToDoTho

A post shared by General Jeff (@skidrowgeneraljeff) on Jun 19, 2016 at 2:28pm PDT

The drinking fountains were already owned by the DWP and workers installed them during their regular shifts – so it came at no cost to taxpayers.

General Jeff Page, an activists for homeless issues, was excited to see the fountains go up – but posted on Instagram that he hopes there will be a more permanent solution, as the fountains will only be up for a week or so.

“We need these YEAR-ROUND because there is a tremendous amount of people who are severely dehydrated and undernourished in Skid Row,” he wrote.

PROPS:…To #DepartmentOfWaterAndPower for hearing our cries for help for additional drinking water solutions and TODAY installed a drinking fountain right on the southwest corner of 6th and Gladys directly in front of #GladysPark….Now, when the parks in Skid Row close, homeless folks and other community stakeholders will be able to access clean drinking water….This is most impprtant during summer months of extremely hot temperatures….The photo shows the fountain is connected directly to the fire hydrant. #VisitSkidRow #SkidRow #CityOfLosAngeles #CityCouncilmemberJoseHuizar #CD14

A post shared by General Jeff (@skidrowgeneraljeff) on Jun 18, 2016 at 8:36pm PDT