The City of is beginning the phased decommissioning of its 1,800 drinking fountains and 55 monumental fountains starting in late October 2026. Fountains in the outer districts will be shut off first, while those in the first district remain active longest.
To prevent frost damage, crews will drain the fountains and winterize the Hochstrahlbrunnen at by early November. Paul Hellmeier, head of , noted that monumental fountains undergo cleaning and have nozzles or overflows removed.
Protective covers are installed on historic structures as part of the winterization process. Residents can expect the city's water features to return to service in the spring of 2027, once the risk of freezing temperatures has passed for the new season.