Why are water fountains important in schools?

It helps to increase students’ overall water consumption, maintain hydration, and reduce energy intake if substituted for sugar-sweetened beverages.

How does a school water fountain work?

Drinking fountains work through a simple system. First, the water comes from the main water system and is pressurized until it is released. Once the drinking fountain’s valve is pressed, the water is released to flow out. When the valve is let go, a water seal stops the water flow.

Are school water fountains good?

Researchers have also found that handles on drinking fountains were the most contaminated surfaces in public schools. These bubblers are hosts for norovirus and influenza A. The norovirus, commonly known as the stomach flu, causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

What are school water fountains?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, thousands of schools in America, both in the urban and rural areas, had contaminated drinking water from the fountains due to chemicals and other toxins. Some of the contaminants found are lead, arsenic, copper, and nitrates.

Why are drinking fountains important?

The fountains filter out contaminants like lead, while retaining beneficial substances like fluoride, which protects teeth from cavities. In addition, they promote healthy behaviors – like staying hydrated and choosing water over sugary beverages.

How does water affect education?

Lack of clean water has serious effects on students’ academic performance and attendance rates. The lack of safe water can cause even the best students to lose momentum as they deal with stomach pains and diarrhea from disease and hunger. Students miss class to go fetch water, or to care for sick parents or siblings.

What do fountains do?

A fountain, from the Latin “fons” (genitive “fontis”), meaning source or spring, is a decorative reservoir used for discharging water. It is also a structure that jets water into the air for a decorative or dramatic effect.

What are water fountains made of?

The most common materials for outdoor fountains are cast stone, fiberglass, ceramic and metal. Cast stone fountains can be molded into virtually any design. Well liked for their durability and authenticity, they are lighter than fountains carved from real stone, but have a similar appearance and texture.

How clean are water fountains?

4. Yes, They Can Be Dirtier Than The Toilet. A 13-year-old conducted an experiment that tested his school’s fountain water against the water from one of his school’s toilets. After letting bacteria incubate, he found that not even the cleanest fountain was as clean as the toilet.

Is the school water fountain safe?

For the most part, the water from these fountains tends to be relatively safe. In most situations, it is well regulated and comes from the same supply as any drinking source. As a result, the fountain water is tested on a regular basis to meet federal and state standards.

Do water fountains reuse water?

Message: This is a somewhat common “urban myth”. Drinking fountains have a water supply line and a drain line — just like the faucet and sink in your house. There is no attempt to recycle the water in the fountain.

What is a fountain used for?

Why is water important for education?

Access to clean water restores health for families and reduces the amount of time that children, who often help with chores at home, spend walking and waiting to collect water each day. Clean water gives kids a chance to attend school and build a better future.

What is water important?

Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, and lead to constipation and kidney stones.

Why are water fountains important?

How does water fountains work?

The pump forces water upwards to create a falling effect into a lower basin. The pump uses water pressure and tubes to force the water back into the reservoir to start the cycle over again. The number of reservoirs and pumps in a fountain can vary, with large outdoor fountains commonly having multiple basins.

How do fountains work?

How much water does a fountain use?

They average about five gallons to fill them up and need to be topped off about twice a week. This water loss comes almost entirely from evaporation, Schopper said. The amount of water used in a week for such a fountain is the equivalent of a couple new-toilet flushes.

How many germs are on a fountain?

Drinking water fountain spigots had the highest amount of bacteria on the tested surfaces — 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch. A cafeteria tray had more than ten times as many germs as a toilet seat (33,800 bacterial cells/ per square inch vs. 3,200 bacterial cells per square inch).

Is there bacteria in water fountains?

School water fountains and faucets can harbor bacteria which leads to infection and illness. The most common forms of bacteria found in school water systems are Legionella, E. coli, Giardia, Norovirus, and more. These diseases typically cause flu-like symptoms, upset stomach, aches, and, at times, severe infection.