Water stations set up by Culligan Water provided free water to around 1700 Highland Fling competitors and their supporters at Ferndale Oval on the weekend.

Highland Fling organiser Huw Kingston said the visitors understood and appreciated the reasons for the voluntary boycott.

Bundanoon’s tap water was so appreciated that some South Australian competitors were spotted filling up a jerry can from the water station to take home.

Another competitor handed in a litre and a half of commercially bottled water he had brought to Bundanoon and was given a six pack of Pigs Fly beer and a bottle of Southern Highland Riesling in exchange.

The acceptance of the water stations augurs well for Bundanoon is Brigadoon in 2010, which will also participate in Bundy On Tap.

Bundanoon Newsagent Peter Stewart said the Bundy On Tap reusable bottles had been popular with visitors and locals since the campaign was launched in September.

The Bundanoon Newsagent has sold 488 basic $3.50 bottles since September 16 and 97 of the more expensive Camelbak bottles at $29.

Mr Stewart said the Bundy On Tap refillable bottles were being bought as souvenirs but also for practical, regular use, with many customers filling the bottles with chilled, filtered water from local stores.

“They have been going really well,” Mr Stewart said. “We have had a red hot go at it.”