RENO — It is as easy as turning on the faucet and refilling a plastic or metal water bottle with water. However, it is something GoodStanding believed not enough people are doing.

GoodStanding, a new division of Olsen & Associates public relations firm, has worked to get Reno and Sparks involved in the TapIt network, which allows people who use reusable water bottles to stop at businesses and restaurants that are a part of the program to refill the bottles for free.



“We have high drinking water quality,” said Frankie Vigil, public involvement and outreach coordinator for GoodStanding. “We know that people in our community are concerned about our environment and businesses are concerned as well and we knew some businesses were already doing this.”

According to the Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s website, www.tmh2o.com, the water quality in northern Nevada is some of the nation’s best.

“As Nevadans, we’re proud to boast that our water quality is among the best in the country,” the website says. “But it doesn’t happen by accident. Our team of highly skilled engineers, scientists and operators work hard to provide you with clean, safe drinking water and dependable service. Each month we administer more than 1,000 tests to ensure your drinking water meets and, in most cases, exceeds EPA standards.”

Locations where people can find a location to refill their water bottles can be found with a smartphone application available on the TapIt website, www.tapitwater.com. The application is free. Since the program is nationwide, people who travel can always find a place to refill.

“It is an easy way to see which businesses are a part of the TapIt program,” Vigil said. “It is also great if you travel.”

Currently, there are more than 15 locations in Reno and Sparks that have become a part of the TapIt network, including the My Favorite Muffin locations in Sparks and Reno, Dish Cafe & Catering, House of Bread, the Cheese Board, Cafe Musee and Niko’s Greek Deli in Reno, to name a few. TMWA also is part of the program.

“We’ve had really good feedback,” Vigil said. “If you’re walking around with a reusable bottle, it’s convenient to find places if you’re running low on water.”

Nancy Horn, owner of Dish, was the first person to sign up for TapIt in northern Nevada.

“I just think it is really important to reduce the amount of waste you put into a landfill,” Horn said. “I think bottled water is the number one most wasteful product, next to baby diapers.”

Horn said Dish tries to be as zero waste and as sustainable as possible with consumable product containers being recycled and food scraps being composted.

“I think carrying a refillable bottle for water is something everyone should do,” Horn said. “I think we take it for granted in our country that we have access to clean water. Anyone can have water in the United States.”

Although TapIt is new in northern Nevada, she said more and more of her customers are hearing about it.

“We have a lot of customers that use reusable bottles and coffee mugs,” Horn said. “We just need to spend more effort to wash and reuse; it just becomes habit.”

Horn said the average American gets coffee four times a week, adding four plastic lids, paper cups and cardboard sleeves to the landfill per person per week. Reusing a water bottle removes that waste, she said.

My Favorite Muffin owner Jim Zbella said participating in TapIt was an obvious decision for him.

“It is a no-brainer,” Zbella said. “It doesn’t cost anything and it helps people. Water is better than a lot of other things you could be drinking.”

Businesses that want to be a part of TapIt can sign up through GoodStanding and it is free.

“We would love it if more businesses would join,” Vigil said. “TapIt sends businesses a sticker for their window and adds them to the phone app. It is completely free and easy to sign up.”

To become a part of the TapIt network, call 829-2810.

For more information about the water quality in northern Nevada, visit www.tmh2o.com/water_system/quality.

Read more: Sparks Tribune - Tapping into quality water