Is Water Fountain Water Filtered?

Staying hydrated should be one of your top priorities every day, and sometimes, you might rely on a public water fountain as your only option. But do these fountains provide safe water? While some water fountain water is filtered, that’s not always the case. Plus, there are different types of filters and other factors that can be important to know for your health. Let’s talk through everything you need to know about these convenient water stations, including whether their water is filtered.

Understanding Water Fountains

The type of water fountain and its location or purpose can impact whether a water fountain is filtered or not.

Types of Water Fountains

Not all water fountains are the same in design or functionality. To investigate whether a public water fountain is filtered, you first need to identify its type. While most of us are familiar with the old-school water fountain design with a horizontal spout from which to drink, these are increasingly being replaced by modern water bottle filling stations. And both of these are distinctly different from the filtered water coolers you might find in an office.

Common Uses and Locations

Water fountains are installed in a variety of places for easy access, from hallways at schools and universities to public community centers and private office buildings. The intended use and location of the water fountain can influence whether the drinking water is filtered or not.

Filtration in Water Fountains

Unfortunately, not all water fountains are filtered, but newer models are more likely to include filtration systems. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of water filters in public fountains and how effective they are.

Types of Filters Used

There are generally three different types of filters used in drinking fountains, with varying levels of filtration.

Sediment Filter: These filters remove large particles from the water source, but they don’t affect the flavor or smell or remove potentially harmful germs.
Activated Carbon Filter: This type of filter improves the taste and smell of the water by filtering out pollutants like chlorine. However, it does not remove bacteria or viruses.
UV Purification: This system effectively purifies the water with ultraviolet radiation, removing viruses and bacteria. These filters are not commonly found in water fountains.

Effectiveness of Fountain Filters

The three types of water filters most commonly used in water fountains effectively accomplish their goals. In particular, UV water purification removes 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. However, without UV radiation, sediment and activated carbon filters are limited to making the drinking water clean and palatable.

Health and Safety Considerations

There are understandably many safety concerns associated with drinking from public water fountains.

Potential Contaminants in Unfiltered Fountains

Unfiltered water from public drinking fountains can contain various contaminants, including potentially disease-causing bacteria and viruses, heavy metals such as lead, and chemical pollutants. Since drinking fountains are connected to municipal water supplies, understanding the quality of your local water can help identify potential contaminants.

Maintenance and Hygiene of Water Fountains

Water fountains should receive regular cleaning at least every six months, but this doesn’t always happen. A useful habit is to visually inspect the fountain yourself. Look for signs of poor maintenance, such as:

Low or inconsistent water pressure
Cloudy water
Bad odor
Loud noises when dispensing water
Leaking

Regulations and Standards

While the Environmental Protection Agency has regulations for keeping drinking water safe, it does not provide specific standards for water fountain filtration. Fountains should be cleaned and tested regularly, but this isn’t always enforced.

Newer water fountain models from manufacturers often include some form of filtration, such as a sediment and carbon filter to remove particles and pollutants. However, this may still allow bacteria, viruses, and hard metals to remain in the water.

Alternatives to Drinking from Unfiltered Fountains

If you’re not comfortable with drinking from potentially unfiltered water fountains, there are some alternative solutions. One of the easiest solutions is to carry around your own bottled water, whether a reusable bottle or a single-use plastic one. Some water bottles are even designed with built-in filters, so you can refill them at a public fountain. You could also use an online resource called Tap to find water fountains near you, including filtered options.

Frequently asked questions

Is drinking fountain water the same as tap water?

Yes, a drinking fountain is typically connected to the local city water supply, just like most water taps.

Is water from water fountains clean?

The public water fountains in a school, mall, gym, etc., are often unfiltered. However, newer models, like those equipped with bottle fillers, may have a built-in carbon filtration system.

How can I find out if the water fountain near me has a filtration system?

Examine the water fountain for a label indicating filtered water or a filter status display. Contact the building or facilities management team if you can’t find any indication that it is filtered.