I need water. Is there a fountain nearby?
Fontana: fon-TAH-nah. The stress falls clearly on the second syllable.
Use this in villages, at trailheads, or near rifugi when your water supply is running low. Many Italian mountain villages have public drinking fountains.
Ho bisogno di means 'I need' (literally 'I have need of'). Fontana is a drinking fountain or spring. Italy has abundant public water sources — asking for one is never considered rude.
Dove posso riempire la borraccia?
Where can I refill my water bottle?
More specific — borraccia is a hiking water bottle.
L'acqua del torrente è potabile?
Is the stream water drinkable?
Important safety question in the mountains.
Avete dell'acqua da vendere?
Do you have water for sale?
Use at a rifugio or small shop.
Italy has a strong culture of public drinking fountains (fontanelle or nasoni in Rome). In mountain areas, spring water (acqua di sorgente) flows freely and is usually safe to drink — locals will tell you if it isn't.