In the heart of a quaint Aussie town, a park fountain usually admired for its serene waters became the center of a bubbling controversy. The fountain, a familiar and beloved feature in the small community, was transformed into a frothy spectacle after being filled with dishwashing liquid. This act of mischief has sparked a debate among locals, with opinions ranging from amusement to outrage.

The incident, which took place in Lions Park in Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands, isn't an isolated event. According to a council spokesperson who spoke to Yahoo News Australia, the fountain has been the target of similar pranks in the past, occurring 'from time to time.' The frothy fountain quickly became a hot topic on social media, with photographs showing the aftermath of the prank – including empty bottles littering the surrounding lawn.

For some residents, the sight was met with a chuckle and a shrug. They viewed the bubbly fountain as 'just harmless fun,' a temporary transformation that would dissipate without lasting harm. 'I suppose they thought it a good idea at the time! At least it will be gone tomorrow with no damage done,' one local optimistically posted online. Others joined in the light-hearted banter, with comments like 'Good clean fun… hurting no one,' and 'At least it will be nice and clean.'

A park fountain was filled with bottles of dishwashing liquid, causing a bubbly scenario at the area. Image Credit: Facebook

However, not everyone shared this laissez-faire attitude. A number of community members expressed concern over the potential damage to the fountain's pump system. 'I don’t find this funny, it could very well destroy the pump,' one worried commenter pointed out. Another added, 'It can actually cause a lot of damage,' highlighting the extensive effort required to restore the fountain to its original state. 'If the council [clean] it properly, it takes a lot of water and chemicals to flush fountains out. It's also a long annoying process to get them back to normal when this happens,' they explained.

Beyond the potential mechanical issues, some locals were irked by the environmental disrespect shown by the pranksters. The real grubbiness, they argued, lay not in the act itself but in the refuse left behind. 'What about picking up the crap they left behind,' one commenter said, frustrated by the discarded bottles and calling the perpetrators 'grubs.'

In response to the incident, the Wingecarribee Shire Council was quick to reassure the public that the fountain's operation was not compromised by the soapy stunt. 'These actions do not affect the operation of the water pumps,' a council spokesperson stated, emphasizing that the council does not condone such behavior. They outlined the cleanup process, which involves using a glycol-based defoaming agent and conducting general maintenance, including recycling the water.

This sudsy situation has certainly stirred up a froth of opinions. It raises questions about community standards, the balance between fun and vandalism, and the responsibilities we all share in maintaining public spaces. As we reflect on this bubbly debate, we invite you, our dear Seniors Discount Club members, to weigh in with your thoughts.

Key Takeaways

• A fountain in an Aussie park was filled with dishwashing liquid, causing it to overflow with foam.
• The act has amused some locals, with others expressing concern over potential damage to the fountain's pump and the environmental impact.
• There is a division among residents, with some finding it to be 'harmless fun', while others criticised the act, especially due to the rubbish left behind.
• The Wingecarribee Shire Council stated that such actions do not affect the operation of the water pumps but do not condone this behaviour and has prompt procedures in place to clean up and maintain the fountain.

Have you witnessed similar acts in your local parks? Do you see it as a harmless prank or a disrespectful act that could lead to unnecessary costs and environmental harm? And what about the waste left behind – is it just as concerning as the act itself? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below. Let's discuss whether these bubbly escapades are outrageous or justified, and how we can find common ground in preserving the charm and integrity of our community spaces.

 

[Ian D]

From memory the much larger coloured fountain in Rockhampton used to quite often get this treatment, mainly at high school break up time. I have not seen it done for a long time, normally just a prank joke.