Observations of drinking water access in school food service areas before implementation of federal and state school water policy, California, 2011

Abstract

Introduction: Recent legislation requires schools to provide free drinking water in food service areas (FSAs). Our objective was to describe access to water at baseline and student water intake in school FSAs and to examine barriers to and strategies for implementation of drinking water requirements.

Methods: We randomly sampled 24 California Bay Area public schools. We interviewed 1 administrator per school to assess knowledge of water legislation and barriers to and ideas for policy implementation. We observed water access and students' intake of free water in school FSAs. Wellness policies were examined for language about water in FSAs.

Results: Fourteen of 24 schools offered free water in FSAs; 10 offered water via fountains, and 4 provided water through a nonfountain source. Four percent of students drank free water at lunch; intake at elementary schools (11%) was higher than at middle or junior high schools (6%) and high schools (1%). In secondary schools when water was provided by a nonfountain source, the percentage of students who drank free water doubled. Barriers to implementation of water requirements included lack of knowledge of legislation, cost, and other pressing academic concerns. No wellness policies included language about water in FSAs.

Conclusion: Approximately half of schools offered free water in FSAs before implementation of drinking water requirements, and most met requirements through a fountain. Only 1 in 25 students drank free water in FSAs. Although schools can meet regulations through installation of fountains, more appealing water delivery systems may be necessary to increase students' water intake at mealtimes.

Figure 1

Percentage of students (n = 11,226) observed drinking free water at lunch, by school type and water delivery system, Bay Area, California, 2011. The percentage of students drinking water at lunch was obtained by counting the number of students who drank water in the food service area divided by the total daily student attendance. There were no nonfountain sources of drinking water in primary schools. The percentage of middle school students who drank water from a fountain source was significantly lower than the percentage of students who drank water from a nonfountain source (P = .04). This difference was not significant among high school students (P = .09). The percentage of students drinking water at lunch was higher when water was available via a delivery system other than a drinking fountain (eg, water dispenser with cups).

Figure 2

Alternative drinking water sources in Bay Area, California, food service areas. Top left, a hot and cold water dispenser found within 10 feet of where food was served in an indoor high school cafeteria. Resting on the dispenser is a purple Vapur-brand foldable reusable water bottle sold as a fundraiser by a student group at the school. Top right, a hydration station located approximately 50 feet of where food was served in an indoor high school cafeteria. Bottom left, a Cambro-brand cooler and foam cups located within 5 feet of where food was served in an indoor middle school cafeteria. Bottom right, an Igloo-brand cooler and Dixie-brand cups provided for students outdoors within 5 feet of a food service window but approximately 100 feet from the main cafeteria in a middle school.