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Water In Schools

Updated: Jul 14, 2022


The six essential nutrients essential for human health are carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and


water. To many peoples’ surprise water is typically forgotten as a nutrient, but its vast majority of functions attribute to its importance in the diet. Water accounts for 60% of the body’s weight and functions to maintain body temperature, lubricate joints, protect the spinal cord, and rid the body of waste.


According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the latest research demonstrates only between 10 and 60 percent of children drink the recommended amount of water. Dehydration is a primary concern for inadequate consumption of water in children since it negatively affects a child’s physical and mental alertness. This is crucial in a school setting because even mild dehydration can negatively affect these attributes directly impacting school performance.


For any schools participating in the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast program it is required to make free water available to students during meal times. Shockingly, a study completed by the California Department of Public Health discovered only 40 percent of schools provide access to free water during


times of meals and sugar sweetened beverages are sought out by children who do not have free water available.


Here are ways to instill and sustain a water access program at your school:

  1. Assess polices and practices

  2. Review districts’ policy on provision of water, cups, or bottles at snack and meal times exceeding the USDA requirement.

  3. Determine standard operating procedures for placement, filling, and cleaning of water delivery mechanisms.

  4. Examine testing procedures for quality of water

  5. Evaluate water access points and Fountain to Student ratio

  6. Develop a Plan

  7. Establish goals and objectives

  8. Work with PTAs and the School District’s Wellness Committee for support and strategies

  9. Determine Budget

  10. Seek funding opportunities

  11. Fundraisers

  12. School food service funds

  13. Foundation Grants

  14. State funds for construction. Visit the Ohio School Facilities Commission at osfc.ohio.gov for more information

  15. Act and Promote

  16. Inform personnel involved

  17. Provide water access with cups or reusable bottles

  18. Display educational posters or flyers

  19. Evaluate progress

  20. Re-evaluate goals and objectives

Samantha is a senior in the Dietetics program at University of Akron


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