Our new drinking fountain safety cover does just that. Cities, park districts, schools, hospitals, and other entities managing public spaces can offer fountains with many available options, including vandal resistance, freeze resistance, refrigeration, bottle filling, and filtration. The CDC also says schools and businesses should check fountains for other safety issues before they reopen. In children, exposure to even low levels of lead has been linked to lower IQ, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, stunted growth, impaired hearing, and anemia. Fountains should still be cleaned and sanitized for those who need to use them, the agency says. Eighth-grade student Atticus Fasnakis-Nosal said, “[Someone] could be sick and put food in [the water fountain], or touch the water piece with their mouth.” According to cff.org , “Germs can [be] spread through indirect contact if people touch something with germs already on … Concerns over water quality at school drinking fountains are not new. Many locations go … The City of Toronto’s water treatment facilities are some of the best in the world. Market data provided by Factset. Legal Statement. There’s no evidence you can get COVID-19 from the water itself. Drinking Fountain Safety Cover for Schools . School Water Fountains. Normally, students can quench their thirst at school water fountains. With many useful features that increase water quality and convenience, drinking fountains need no longer be the forgotten relics of the past. There are currently around 500 self-supplying schools in New Zealand. The CDC also says schools and businesses should check fountains for other safety issues before they reopen. Occasionally, when the buttons are pressed hard enough to actually get a drinkable stream going, the stream will continue to flow for several seconds after the buttons have been released. Like any other water bowl, these fountains need to be regularly cleaned to keep the water fresh and free of bacteria. That helps ensure you don’t leave saliva on the fountain, making it safer for others. Their Numbers Are Dwindling. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. But since the virus may linger on surfaces, experts say to avoid fountains if you can or to limit any direct contact when using them. Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap. or redistributed. The average age of schools in the United States is 44 years old. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Is it safe to drink from a water fountain during the pandemic? Water fountains are more dangerous than many people believe. Drinking Water Fountains has been working over many years to establish a range of drinking water fountains for schools, sinks and coolers that are ideally suited to the demanding needs of the educational sector. This innovative device provides a visual reminder to not use the drinking fountain and a physical barrier from use; Get savings when you buy in bulk – kits provide a discount over buying each piece individually Our solutions range from mini drinking fountains suitable for primary schools through to fountains with vandal proof taps. This includes items that only a single student uses, like an individual desk or locker. Here's a brief rundown of the coronavirus risk associated with drinking from a public water fountain. All rights reserved. Drinking fountains should be cleaned and sanitized, but encourage staff and students to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water fountains… In New York City, for example, posters instruct people to use gloves or a tissue to turn on water fountains. Furthermore, while cities are required to test municipal water supplies in homes each year, there’s no requirement for them to regularly test public fountains and sinks in public parks or buildings, like schools. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Legal Statement. But is drinking water fountains safe or not? Ever since the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, clean water has been on many of our minds. Furthermore, the immune system of children are weak, and they are prone to … Many of us assume that our water is safe to drink, and never give it another thought. Chicago’s testing of their water fountains was actually a proactive, voluntary effort. But many schools in both B.C. There’s no evidence you can get COVID-19 from the water itself. As you welcome staff and students back to your facility remember to eliminate or restrict access to high touch point areas such as drinking fountains. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Is it safe to drink from a water fountain during the pandemic? And you shouldn’t let your face touch the spout when leaning in for a drink. Market data provided by Factset. The CDC also says schools and businesses should check fountains for other safety issues before they reopen. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The essential guide to taking care of your mind and body, Joseph Thomas Photography via Getty Images, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CORONAVIRUS: COULD YOUR BODY ALREADY HAVE CELLS THAT RECOGNIZE AND FIGHT IT? Keep hands off a high-touch area with the first-of-its-kind Drinking Fountain Safety Cover Kit. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In New York City, for example, posters instruct people to use gloves or a tissue to turn on water fountains. If you don’t have those handy and need to touch the fountain, experts recommend you wash your hands afterward and avoid touching your face until you do. On July 1, 2017, Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act changed to require that lead tests be conducted by schools and daycares at any fountain or tap that is … That helps ensure you don’t leave saliva on the fountain, making it safer for others. What we have learned, however, is that without regular water testing, there is no way to ensure that our water is as clean and safe as we believe it to be. To minimize direct contact with fountains, schools and businesses should encourage everyone to bring their own water from home, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ©2020 FOX News Network, LLC. TWO CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS IN CHINA TEST POSITIVE FOR VIRUS MONTHS AFTER RECOVERING. Remove access to drinking fountains to reduce the spread of germs in your school. At San Mateo High School, as the lunch break wrapped up one recent afternoon, a few students bent over a stainless steel water fountain to take gulps of tap water before heading back to class. Shop online for drinking fountains for schools and parks. ©2020 FOX News Network, LLC. The CDC also says schools and businesses should check … Warm or cold, strong stream or weak stream, all of the school’s water fountains still get the job done when it comes to producing water that is safe to drink. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. There’s no evidence you can get COVID-19 from the water itself. Part of HuffPost Wellness. To minimize direct contact with fountains, schools and businesses should encourage everyone to bring their own water from home, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fountains should still be cleaned and sanitized for those who need to use them, the agency says. Yep, all of those are in your tap water! In a nutshell, the water from the school drinking fountain is not 100% safe because of various factors. It’s time we update our school water fountains and make our kids water safe and … Prolonged closures could increase the risk for Legionnaires’ and other diseases associated with water, since standing water in plumbing systems can cause bacteria to grow. Lead in drinking water in schools generally comes from internal plumbing fixtures and fountains that contain traces of the neurotoxin. Additional compliance is detailed below including registering with the ESR. If you don’t have those handy and need to touch the fountain, experts recommend you wash your hands afterward and avoid touching your face until you do. Designated drinking water sources in our schools are safe to drink and are tested on a regular basis, according to provincial regulations. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved. Some schools shut down the water fountain or tap, investigate the source of the lead and replace the offending pipe or fixture. All rights reserved. General cleaning and disinfecting should happen at least once per day. Commercial drinking fountains for schools. Self-supplying schools should comply with Section 10 of the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (external link) which are available on the Ministry of Health's website. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations. In addition to this, water fountains should be used with caution. The CDC says, "Drinking fountains should be cleaned and sanitized, but encourage staff and students to bring their own water … Prolonged closures could increase the risk for Legionnaires’ and other diseases associated with water, since standing water in plumbing systems can cause bacteria to grow. Water fountains, those fountains that are so abundant and frequently found and conveniently used around campus, are safe to drink out of.” However, obviously…that was not the finding within the conclusion. Others install filters. (iStock). Samples are collected between May 1 and October … Researchers have investigated on how safe they are and they found out that they are actually not. It is important that arrangements remain in place to ensure that children and staff are in safe buildings during reduced occupancy arrangements. Filling a water bottle is also better than drinking directly from the fountain, says Angela Rasmussen, a virus researcher at Columbia University. The majority of schools in the city have relied on bottled water for a decade, following revelations about lead contamination that forced officials to ban drinking out of water fountains or sinks. The precautions are recommended because surfaces are believed to contribute to the spread of COVID-19, even though experts say the main way the virus spreads is through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. Fountains should still be cleaned and sanitized for those who need to use them, the agency says. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! But since the virus may linger on surfaces, experts say to avoid fountains if you can or to limit any direct contact when using them. Yes, They Can Be Dirtier Than The Toilet A 13-year-old conducted an experimentthat tested his school's fountain water against the water from one of his school's toilets. These fountains are safe, but they require some routine, minor maintenance – mainly cleaning. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Public schools in Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois have even gone as far as to turn off drinking fountains because the water is too contaminated with lead, copper, and other common contaminants. Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. As Metro State Professor of Biology, Dr. Rebecca Ferrell tested drinking fountains found in three big public venues: The State Capitol, Denver’s main public library, and Denver’s big public bus terminal. Some school buildings have more than 300 water use locations, such as gym showers, water fountains and sinks in classrooms, kitchens and restrooms. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Prolonged closures could increase the risk for Legionnaires’ and other diseases associated with water, since standing water in plumbing systems can cause bacteria to grow. You may have noticed that you’ve been seeing less fountains in public … A US investigation in 2009 turned up lead-contaminated drinking water at schools in every American state. The precautions are recommended because surfaces are believed to contribute to the spread of COVID-19, even though experts say the main way the virus spreads is through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. Filling a water bottle is also better than drinking directly from the fountain, says Angela Rasmussen, a virus researcher at Columbia University. But since the virus may linger on surfaces, experts say to avoid fountains if you can or to limit any direct contact when using them. ©2020 Verizon Media. The EPA suggests that any school built before 1986 (32 years old) is at high risk for lead in drinking water. On July 1, 2017, Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act changed to require that lead tests be conducted by schools and daycares at any fountain or tap that is used for drinking water … This includes door knobs, light switches, toilet handles, water fountains, tables, desks, chairs, keyboards and toys. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 13. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Most schools do not update their fountains – this puts most school water fountains at high risk for contamination. There are viruses from the structure itself, and the pipes can be contaminated which can affect the water. And you shouldn’t let your face touch the spout when leaning in for a drink. Fountains should still be cleaned and sanitized for those who need to use them, the agency says. But there’s nothing normal about this school year. An associated press investigation found that schools throughout all 50 US states have water fountains that contain contaminants.