Elizabeth Cortez testifies on Intro 931 mobile drinking fountains

You may begin.

Good afternoon, Chair Gennaro and members of the committee.

My name is Elizabeth Cortez.

I am an MPH student at Kinesi SPH, speaking in my personal capacity as a New York City resident.

I support advancing Intro 931 with a feasible implementation plan and adequate resources.

The Health Department's 2026 NYC Heat-Related Mortality Report shows that heat stress death rates are higher among Black and Latino New Yorkers and in lower-income neighborhoods.

As the committee works through staffing and costs, I urge it to preserve the bill's recurring summer service and a priority for high-vulnerability neighborhoods.

Heat risks also extend beyond declared emergencies, which supports the bill's approach of providing drinking water on hot days throughout the summer.

Fountains cannot replace cooling or address every source of heat risk, but making drinking water easier to access in public spaces is a practical complement to cooling in neighborhoods most vulnerable to heat.

The DEP's earlier water on the go mobile drinking fountain experience offers lessons, but today's testimony makes it clear that expansion would require substantial

new capacity.

Therefore, I urge the committee to work with DEP and other relevant agencies on a funded implementation plan that protects core water and emergency services, including consideration of the

appropriate lead agency and existing staff sites.

I also recommend annual public reporting.

Neighborhood coverage, operating hours and costs so the council can assess whether the program reaches high vulnerability neighborhoods and how resources are being used.

Thank you for considering my testimony.