June 02, 2011 - A new program in the District is urgin residents to drink water sustainably.

Leslie Abell says there's really only one way to get through D.C.'s sweltering summers.

"I like to bring reusable water bottles pretty much everywhere I go," she says. But finding places to fill her water bottle can be hard.

"I bike all around the city," she says. "So I always feel bad asking people to fill up my water bottle."

That's why dozens of D.C. eateries have joined a national network calledTapIt. The businesses have hung signs in their windows and are offering to fill water bottles for free.

There are 67 businesses signed up so far, in neighborhoods spanning the city. Coffeeshops such as Columbia Heights Coffee, Tryst, and Capitol Grounds; My Organic Market Stores, all of the city's Potbelly sandwich shops; and several yogurt shops (Yola, several locations of Pitango Gelato) are among the participants.

DC Water General Manager George Hawkins says the program is a win-win.

"It saves people money, it's clean, cool fresh water which everyone needs to live and refresh themselves," he says. "And it's tremendous for the environment."

It's also good for D.C. businesses, he says, because it entices more people to stop by.

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