Back to School: Safe Water Fountains? Make Them Safe.
Published August 15, 2011 | 
Emily from Utah writes:
Hi. I’m going back to school soon and I have a question about water fountains. I don’t like them because soooo many people drink from them! Does that mean they are getting their germs on them? I think that happens and it’s gross. How do I drink from water fountains without getting peoples germs?
Hi Emily
Thanks for the question.
It’s true that public water fountains carry the risk of transmitting disease. However, they are designed to minimize the transfer of disease. This is because they are designed to give water in a ‘curve’. This ensures that you can drink the water without touching any of the water fountain surfaces, and it’s the surfaces that might carry ‘germs’.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of catching anything from a water fountain:
- Avoid water fountains that have low pressure. If the water just barely dribbles out, don’t drink from it. This will get your face and mouth closer to the tap part and you don’t want that. Only drink from water fountains that allow you to drink the water well away from the tap part.
- Let the water run for 5-10 seconds before drinking it. This will ensure that there is fresh water coming out. As well, it will help wash away anything that might be on the tap.
- Avoid splashing. This can lift bacteria and virus’s off the surface of the water fountain and splash it back towards your face, mouth, and mucous membranes like your nose and eyes.
- Fill your own metal or BPA free plastic water bottle. Fill it first from home, but if you need a refill use that. This helps ensure that you do not get your face close to the surfaces where bacteria might be living.
If you follow those steps, you will make sure you can take advantage of water fountains without getting any germs.
I hope that helps!
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Are There Cancer Causing Chemicals in Water?
Published August 12, 2011 | Jared from Idaho writes:
I heard that there might be stuff in tap water that causes cancer. Is that true?
Hi Jared
Yes, it’s true that there is a chance for there to be some suspected cancer causing chemicals in the water called trihalomethanes, or THM’s. THM’s can be formed when naturally occurring organic chemicals in raw water supplies are combined with chlorine.
Fortunately, this is a well known chemical process and is heavily regulated. Health professionals have determined that a safe level of THM’s where the body’s natural processes can easily deal with and remove THM’s is 100 parts per billion.
The amount of THM’s or if THM’s are even formed are determined by many factors. The water source (river water has a higher chance than ground water because it contains more organics), pH, alkalinity, temperature, and many other factors. Water plants strive to remove as many organics as possible through processes like coagulation, flocculation, advanced oxidation, before chlorine is added as a disinfectant. The result is that most water supplies have THM levels well below 100 parts per billion, and some have zero THM’s.
Health professionals state that at or under 100 parts per billion there is no cause for alarm, and I tend to agree. There is more danger from external radiation and genetic disposition for cancer than with the low THM levels in water. However, if you want to take any and all chances away, activated carbon filters will reduce and remove THM, even in the minute quantities that are found in drinking water.
Activated carbon is used in inexpensive Jug Filters, Tap Filters, and under sink filters.
I hope that helps.
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