During the six hour school day, many students seek out the water fountains for a quick drink. A poll of Kettle Run High School students, however, suggests that some students are avoiding drinking fountains due to concerns about taste, cleanliness, and overall water quality. The poll asked how often students use the fountains, how they would rate the water, and what–if anything–bothers them specifically. 

When asked about how frequently they used the water fountains, 25% of respondents reported using them daily or almost daily. 6.3% answered that they use them often, another 25% use them occasionally, and a striking 43.8% rarely or never touch them. With nearly half of students polled preferring to go thirsty than use the drinking fountains, it’s probably a sign that they are in need  of some improvement. Student opinion on water quality isn’t much different. On a 1-5 scale, half of polled students selected a 2 while 37.5% gave a mediocre 3. Only one respondent selected a 4, another chose a 1, and no one has rated it a perfect 5.

When the following question asked students what prompted their ranking, the strong driving factor was taste with nearly 88% of students choosing that as their answer. One student remarked on the cool temperature making the water taste even more flat, and yet another stated their ranking was based on filtration concerns.

Written comments left by respondents are even harsher than the results themselves, with one bluntly describing the taste as “like cement.” Several others report an unclean appearance or flavor, as well as things supposedly floating in the water. Another respondent reported a red/yellow discoloration as well. While the complaints don’t prove anything about the water being unsafe or dirty, it shows that the student body as at large isn’t comfortable with the quality.

The best solution to this problem is to replace the water filters more frequently, accounting for the hundreds of students who use them daily. Even if water passes city safety standards, a bad taste and visible particles will continue to drive students away.