Newspoll research asked 1000 people about their drinking habits in February and March, finding 66 per cent always or generally chose to drink tap water and 64 per cent reported carrying a refillable water bottle with them most days.

Women were more likely to carry a water bottle, at 73 per cent, compared with 56 per cent of men.

Released under freedom of information rules, the research report shows that for people regularly carrying a water bottle, access to refilling options, remembering to take the bottle and water temperature were identified as the main problems.

The weight and bulk of water bottles was nominated as a problem by 37 per cent of participants, along with leaks at 34 per cent and hygiene at 16 per cent.

The findings come as the ACT government promotes two initiatives designed to improve access to drinking water through new taps around Canberra and public schools.

Participants reported choosing bottled water over soft drinks and fruit juice for health reasons, convenience, lower kilojoules and cost reasons.

Taste and hygiene were identified as the leading reasons why people choose not to drink tap water.

In March, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury unveiled five new water refill stations around the city.

A commitment in the governance agreement between Labor and the Greens signed after the 2012 election, the $380,000 program for 30 water stations was billed as part of efforts to reduce the use of disposable bottles and increase consumption of fresh tap water.

Through carrying reusable bottles and refilling with tap water, Canberrans could avoid buying sugary drinks, leading to more healthy weight outcomes and lesswaste being sent to landfill.

Ten water stations will be located at Canberra's sports grounds, with 20 more in popular public spaces chosen through community consultation in 2014.

Sites include the city, Woden Town Square, Erindale Shops, the National Arboretum, Tuggeranong Town Park and Lake Ginninderra District Park. Installation will be completed by July.

Despite being recyclable, more than 65 per cent of plastic bottles end up in landfill.

Education and Training Minister Joy Burch also announced new water refill stations had been installed at all Canberra public schools.

A minimum of two water refill stations are now in action in all schools in the

This initiative is linked to the government's healthy weight action policy which saw the removal of vending machines from Canberra public schools by 2014.

Sugary drinks will be phased out of all Canberra public schools by 2017.

Experts have warned of the growing environmental damaged caused by plastic water bottles. Polyethylene plastic bottles require crude oil for production and one study found it can take up to 3 litres of water to produce a 1 litre bottle of water.

Organisers of the Clean Up Australia Day event estimate one in 10 items found by volunteers are related to plastic drinking bottles.