drinking fountains

A 2005 study by NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, found as many as 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch on drinking water fountain spigots (the spout). Spigots that stay wet, particularly on a leaking fountain, can harbor bacteria. This is especially true if someone has coughed, sneezed or spit on it recently. Avoid drinking fountains that don’t look clean and run the water for 15 seconds prior to use to help wash away contamination.

From http://www.highlighthealth.com/resources/top-10-places-cold-and-flu-germs-hide/

And this book:

Nutrition & Food Science


Abstract: In July 2000 a study was undertaken into the facilities offered for drinking water at 54 schools in North Yorkshire. The work also looked at hygiene standards at drinking water fountains and whether they could pose any risk of contamination to children using them.

A visual hygiene assessment of the drinking fountains revealed that many of the fountains in toilets were not well maintained or clean. Traditional hygiene swabs taken from 47 fountains in 17 schools gave high bacterial colony counts, above what would be expected on a facility used for obtaining a drink of water. The main conclusion of the study was that school toilets are not an ideal type of environment for obtaining drinking water and better facilities need to be offered to children.



Gonna think twice now are we?