LIVERPOOL — Tests on the iconic fountains in Williamson Square mark the initial effort to revive a city center landmark silent for over a decade. Installed in 2004 as part of a £5.75 million square overhaul, the water feature consists of a double arch rising up to 12 feet from the pavement, illuminated at night with shifting colors. A poem by local poet Roger McGough adorns the metal grid, themed around water.

The fountains, owned by Liverpool City Council, have endured a rocky history. They shut down for more than a year after flooding in summer 2008, reopening only in June 2009. By 2013, hot cooking fat dumped by temporary food vendors clogged the system, sparking a £100,000 dispute over repair costs.

Sources close to the project told the Liverpool Echo that recent engineering evaluations checked the fountains’ viability. Officials from the Liverpool BID Company led the work, following their 2024 Williamson Square activation study. That report concluded the displays need only “relatively minor maintenance” to return to service.

“This is the first step in a very long journey,” one source described the tests. Engineers examined the working order, identified necessary fixes and estimated reactivation expenses. No timeline exists for a permanent switch-on.

The fountains debuted as Liverpool’s first in 30 years. They quickly became a draw, with children splashing in the sprays during the 2000s. Granite paving and other upgrades transformed the square into a vibrant hub. Yet mechanical woes and maintenance battles kept them off more than on.

Liverpool BID Company stakeholders expressed enthusiasm in the study for bringing the feature back. City center revitalization efforts could gain from the splashy addition, sources said. Council officials have not commented publicly on funding or next phases.

Reviving the fountains aligns with broader pushes to refresh Williamson Square. The BID study outlined stakeholder support, noting the feature’s cultural pull. Engineers’ findings will guide decisions on costs and timelines.

While no date is set, the tests signal momentum. The square’s future may soon flow again with water and light.