Are you concerned about the quality of water in your workplace? Are you looking for an easy way to ensure everyone can access clean, safe drinking water? Then look no further!
I am here to answer the question – do water fountains have filters? Keep reading, and I will give you all the information you need.
Most water fountains have filters that help remove impurities like chlorine, lead, and other contaminants. In addition, modern water fountains often come with a built-in filtration system to ensure the water is safe for drinking.
Do Water Fountains Need Filters?
To understand if your local drinking source is providing safe water or not, first, you have to know where the water is coming from. In North America, most public fountains get their water from a municipal supply. It means the public fountain in your area and the taps in your house share the same water supply.
Sure, municipal water is safe to drink and does not need to be filtered. But is it safe to drink from a water fountain?
No, not really. You probably remember the 2014 Flint water crisis. This particular issue exposed the dangers of local drinking fountains.
Around 100,000 Americans were exposed to a dangerous level of lead from their drinking sources. When large cities like Chicago conducted tests on local drinking sources, even scarier results came out.
- Two factors make public fountains unhygienic and unsafe. First, the water is not usually filtered. If the water source is contaminated, then the water in local fountains will also be infected.
- Secondly, the maintenance procedures of public fountains are not up to the mark. There are a lot of people, including really sick people, who use local water fountains daily.
So, even if the water comes from a municipal supply, it is not guaranteed to be completely safe to drink.
In addition to the risk of lead contamination in local drinking sources, let’s not forget about germs and pathogens.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Outbreaks of waterborne diseases associated with drinking water can have devastating effects. In the United States from 2011 to 2012, several such outbreaks occurred, resulting in a total of at least 171 cases and 6 deaths. These outbreaks were caused by Legionella Pneumophila, Norovirus, Giardia Intestinalis, Pantoea Agglomerans, and Propylene glycol.
Benefits of Having a Filter on a Drinking Water Fountain
- Enjoy the Taste of Crystal Clear Water – With a filter on your drinking water fountain; you can enjoy the freshest and tastiest water that is free from contaminants.
- No Unpleasant Odors – Say goodbye to unpleasant smells in your drinking water with a filter on your fountain. You will only get the freshest, cleanest-smelling water that will not make you gag.
- Keep Out Bacteria – Filters can help keep out bacteria and prevent the growth of Legionnaires’ disease in your drinking water. This will help protect you from getting sick from ingesting contaminated water.
- Easy Accessibility – Having a filter on your drinking water fountain gives you easy access to clean, filtered water without constantly buying bottles of it or worrying about finding clean drinking water sources.
- Save Money – By investing in a filter for your fountain, you are saving money in the long run by not having to buy bottled water and worrying about its quality constantly.
Some Common Germs and Viruses That Found Local Water Fountain
Norovirus
This virus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu. It is highly contagious. Norovirus is extremely common in public water fountains.
It spreads when a septic system infects the municipal water supply. Norovirus infection is severe as it can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, etc.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is one of the most commonly found contaminants in local fountains. This virus can cause terrible diarrhea. It can spread from person to person via faces, affecting children the most.
Rotavirus can cause stomach flu as well. It causes inflammation in the intestinal tract, which can be very painful for kids.
Influenza
Dirty fountain surfaces can spread Influenza A and Influenza B viruses. It is because these two types of viruses can stay alive for up to 48 hours on the outside.
So, when an infected person touches a local fountain, they will leave a trace of the virus. Since it is highly contagious, just touching the fountain and drinking from it will infect a second person.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will no longer have to ask, “Does the water fountain have a filter?”
There is no arguing over the fact that safe drinking water is necessary. During summer, staying hydrated is a priority for many. From children to adults, lots of people use local drinking fountains.
Many people often say that if you are worried about the hygiene of water fountains, just do a bit of drinking from them. Or carry your bottles. But carrying water bottles is a hassle for children and adults due to the required space and additional weight.
Overall, try to avoid drinking water from the local fountain. Instead, try to carry a water bottle to hydrate.
