Fountain Maintenance

Drinking Water Dispensers

Public drinking water fountains in city squares and public buildings offer residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a free refreshment. The fountains consistently provide high-quality drinking water. This is ensured through regular maintenance, hygiene inspections, and automatic flushing cycles. Fountains that run briefly without being used are part of these technical flushing processes and do not constitute a malfunction. The KSJ is responsible for their operation. During hot summer months with extreme heat, it’s easy to get water from these fountains.
The KSJ is responsible for maintenance, cleaning, and repair work.

• Nonnenplan
• Geflecht Fountain (“Water Axis” Winzerla)
• Karl-Marx-Allee
• Market
• Engelplatz
• Phyletic Museum
• Am Grieß
• Wenigenjenaer Ufer
• Kritzegraben

Additional drinking fountains are in the planning stages. This year, drinking fountains will be added at the following locations: Merseburger Straße and “Beim Mönchenberge.”

Information on Winter Operation

To protect them from frost, the fountains are generally taken out of service from October through May.

Bismarck Fountain

In 1894, the Bismarck Fountain was dedicated on the market square to commemorate Bismarck’s visit to Jena in 1892 and the speech he delivered at that very spot. Due to severe damage to the materials and the need to repair the fountain’s mechanical systems, it became necessary to reconstruct and rebuild the market complex, including the fountain and restroom. Consequently, in 2008—in conjunction with the construction of the new market restroom—the Bismarck Fountain underwent a restoration project during which the damaged fountain basin was replaced with a new one made of stainless steel. As part of this process, the Bismarck Fountain was completely dismantled and rebuilt. Since then, it has once again been operated as a fountain.