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. 2016 Jul;59(1):24-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.010. Epub 2016 May 24.

Limited School Drinking Water Access for Youth

Erica L Kenney  1 , Steven L Gortmaker  2 , Juliana F W Cohen  3 , Eric B Rimm  4 , Angie L Cradock  2
Affiliations

Limited School Drinking Water Access for Youth

Erica L Kenney et al. J Adolesc Health. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Providing children and youth with safe, adequate drinking water access during school is essential for health. This study used objectively measured data to investigate the extent to which schools provide drinking water access that meets state and federal policies.

Methods: We visited 59 middle and high schools in Massachusetts during spring 2012. Trained research assistants documented the type, location, and working condition of all water access points throughout each school building using a standard protocol. School food service directors (FSDs) completed surveys reporting water access in cafeterias. We evaluated school compliance with state plumbing codes and federal regulations and compared FSD self-reports of water access with direct observation; data were analyzed in 2014.

Results: On average, each school had 1.5 (standard deviation: .6) water sources per 75 students; 82% (standard deviation: 20) were functioning and fewer (70%) were both clean and functioning. Less than half of the schools met the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act requirement for free water access during lunch; 18 schools (31%) provided bottled water for purchase but no free water. Slightly over half (59%) met the Massachusetts state plumbing code. FSDs overestimated free drinking water access compared to direct observation (96% FSD reported vs. 48% observed, kappa = .07, p = .17).

Conclusions: School drinking water access may be limited. In this study, many schools did not meet state or federal policies for minimum student drinking water access. School administrative staff may not accurately report water access. Public health action is needed to increase school drinking water access.

Keywords: Adolescents; Drinking water; Policy; Schools.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Comment in

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