West Linn's public sparkling water fountain on Willamette Drive costs about $60 a year to operate and has attracted inquiries from public works departments across the country.

The fountain, installed in 2022 in the Historic Willamette neighborhood, dispenses both still and carbonated water from a bottle-filling station. It is believed to be one of the only public sparkling water fountains in the United States, according to a West Linn Tidings report published July 31.

The idea came from Lance Cavert, the former West Linn Public Works director, who encountered a similar setup while traveling in Europe. City Councilor Kevin Bonnington recalled Cavert's reasoning: "This isn't very expensive to add; if we're adding a water dispenser anyway, this might be fun to have."

The carbon dioxide that carbonates the water gets topped off whenever Lil' Cooperstown Bar and Grill, a nearby business on Willamette Drive, has its own CO2 tank refilled.

Public Works Director Erich Lais told the Tidings the fountain has drawn interest from cities nationwide asking how to replicate it.

Public Works Coordinator Luke Borland said the fountain fills a practical gap.

There is no city park or city-owned property on the downtown main street, leaving visitors without easy access to water. West Linn's supply comes from the Clackamas River, the same source used by the Pepsi bottling plant in Gladstone.

Residents call it "Ol' Sparkly."

Each spring, a small community gathering marks the day the city turns its water fountains back on after winter. Bonnington said he wants to make those gatherings monthly rather than once a year.

Rebecca Hollenbeck, executive director of Historic Willamette Main Street, said she hopes the fountain's success leads to broader downtown investment, including a parking structure and a retail business incubator gathering space.

Public Works staff acknowledged they sometimes field complaints about the carbonation level.

Upcoming Historic Willamette events

• Wednesdays in Willamette Summer Street Market: Every Wednesday through Sept. 9, 4–8 p.m., Willamette Falls Drive between 12th and 15th Streets. More than 60 vendors; an estimated 1,200 shoppers weekly.
• Willamette Chalk Walk Festival: Saturday, Sept. 12
• Willamette Autumn Wine Walk: Saturday, Sept. 12
• Halloween in Willamette: Saturday, Oct. 31
• Willamette Main Street Tree Lighting: Saturday, Dec. 5