Picture this: you’re sitting in class during period three after having forgotten your water bottle. Mouth dry as a desert, suffering from thirst, you leave to get a drink of water. You find a water fountain, press the button, and a disappointing weak steam trickles out that could never quench your thirst. For the forgetful and those without water bottles, this is a common occurrence, but it shouldn’t be. Students already have a stigma around the water fountains due to the recent lead scare (which has been resolved), and a populus disdain for public utilities. The water pressure of the fountains making them virtually useless should not be one of the reasons they go unused.
3 of the 8 water fountains at our school have adequate water pressure, with two of those fountains being upstairs, meaning if you have a class downstairs you’re likely out of luck for a fountain with water pressure. Attached is a map of water fountains by adequate pressure. If you take any business course, a subject area North Park overly prides itself on, you must either climb a flight of stairs or cross the school to get to an adequate water fountain. The fountains near the gyms, the fountains that arguably matter most, don’t have adequate water pressure. The quality and locations of the water fountains are disgraceful!
“So what? Bring a water bottle,” I hear you rebut. However, we should be able to expect more from our public utilities. Being complacent with underperforming facilities is harmful for our school environment. We shouldn’t settle for water fountains that are practically undrinkable, because if we do, students go thirsty and thirsty students become underperforming students. I know from personal experience that when I forget a water bottle I rely on the cafeteria for a drink. It’s a harmful, expensive and unhealthy practice, I know, as I pick sugary drinks which create waste, but it genuinely feels easier than hunting down a water fountain that properly works.
School clubs like HOSA, Eco Club, Wellness Club, and others should be advocating for better water pressure for our water fountains. We need to push and pressure the school administration to fix our water issue. The water fountains should not be an object of shame here at our school, as they are important for student health and waste reduction. Yes, bringing a reusable water bottle is important and should be encouraged, but we cannot expect everyone to always bring one in. There are always some students who have to rely on the water fountains, and we shouldn’t settle for fountains that let them down.
Photo Credits: Simar G.
THE NORTH STAR 