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The new block at Southside Car Park in Street uses the latest technology to harness rainwater in an underground tank for cleaning and flushing and will be opened by Cllr Bob Smith, chairman of Street Parish Council, on Friday, August 10 at 11.30am.

Street's new toilets will be the final ones to be built by the council in a three-year programme to renew public conveniences in Mendip. Other new blocks, all designed by Interpublic Urban Systems Limited in partnership with the council, have been built in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Frome.

Mendip District Council's asset maintenance officer, Stuart Finney, said:
"One built-in environmental feature that the public may not notice is that the Street block stores rainwater from the roof in an underground tank. This is used for toilet flushing and cleaning purposes in order to save on mains water consumption."

The new facilities are bigger and much improved on the previous toilets, and offer better disabled access and baby changing tables and toddler seats.

Street Parish Council chairman, Cllr Bob Smith, who is also a district councillor in the village said:
"These toilets are excellent facilities. I am particularly impressed by the energy saving set-up which uses stored rainwater.

"We had quite a small toilet block there before which was not adequate for its purpose. This new block is a lot better for local residents as well as those who visit and shop in Street."

It is hoped that Street's new toilets will follow in the successful footsteps of others in Mendip. Last year Shepton's new facilities in Commercial Road were voted best non-attended public toilets in England at the National Loo of the Year awards. Others in the district were given five and four star ratings.

Cllr Alistair Glanvile, who is Mendip District Council's portfolio holder for street and landscape, said:
"Our toilets across Mendip are already winning awards for their design and quality of service, and I'm confident these new facilities in Street will help our trophy cabinet grow.

"Mendip District Council will continue to improve facilities for residents and visitors to ensure we boost the quality of life and ensure the district remains a prosperous area to live, work and visit."

Street's new toilets will be one of three blocks in Mendip to use rainwater for flushing and cleaning. Others using the system are at Glastonbury and Frome.

The toilets have a permanent connection to a mains water supply, so that in the event of the rainwater tank becoming empty, for example during a long dry spell, the mains supply automatically operates.