Tapper Through the Years

Louisville’s favorite cup of water – Tapper – celebrates his birthday this week, which is fitting because it’s National Drinking Water Week.


Tapper makes a big splash for our drinking water wherever he goes – showing up at events across the city, bringing smiles to everyone he meets, and playing an integral role in sharing the story of our water.


Tapper - early years

Like most of us, Tapper has changed a bit over the years.  In his younger days, he rocked a look that was 90s chic, complete with a funky blue hair-do.

In 1997, Louisville Water became the first, and as far as we know, the only public water utility anywhere to brand its product. Single use water bottles were all the rage back then, and in 2001 Louisville Water opened its own Louisville

Image of Tapper downtown

Pure Tap® bottling line at the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant. As we began to learn more about the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles; however, Louisville Water discontinued bottled Pure Tap.

The excellent quality of the water never changed, but the vessel it came in did. To be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, Louisville Water began serving Pure Tap in compostable paper cups at community events and supplying reusable bottles for customers to #FillDrinkRepeat.

Tapper at the Pure Tap 5kTapper’s look evolved along with the Pure Tap brand. His most recent makeover reflects an update to the Pure Tap logo, which got a fresh new look in 2021.

Regardless of his appearance, Tapper’s antics are timeless, and he still rocks the sweet dance moves from his early days. Though he prefers not to broadcast his exact age, he still loves to celebrate – to be out in the community meeting people, posing for photos, entertaining kids, and reminding everyone to stay hydrated. Tapper is looking forward to connecting with his fans throughout the summer and hopes to see you at Walking Wednesday or another community celebration soon.