A public health, school district and public drinking water agency collaboration to ensure access to drinking water in public schools

Two laws stipulate a requirement that schools provide access to clean drinking water in California during meal times: Health, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010 and CA SB1413. In San Francisco, the local public health department has built on established partnerships with the local school district and the public drinking water supplier to install tap stations in public schools. The tap stations allow students to easily fill cups and reusable containers throughout the day, providing more access to clean drinking water and reducing solid waste. In a phased program, water fountain/bottle filling combination stations are being installed at eating areas (cafeterias, multi-purpose rooms, etc.) as required by CA and Federal legislation. Each school receives water bottles for sale or distribution, depending on available funding. The water bottles are not customized so as to promote use beyond attendance at a particular school and feature a white field on which students can write their name. The program is accompanied by a curriculum to educate students on the safety of the local tap water, the nutritional benefits of consuming water instead of sweetened beverages and the environmental benefits of reusable bottles. To evaluate the impact of the program, a survey to measure water consumption and other beverage use was designed to be administered before and after the installation of new water stations. The pre- and post-installation questionnaire results allow an assessment of the impact that new filling stations have on students' water consumption and understanding of reasons behind students' beverage consumption choices. The results of the evaluation can be used to tailor future messages to promote tap water among students.