Student Proves Water in Toilet Cleaner than Drinking Fountains at School
Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2007
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
The Register-Guard, an Oregon Newspaper has reported a Middle School student felt all along that something was awry with the school’s drinking fountain water. A ban was placed on students bringing bottled water or water bottles to class. Apparently, some were sneaking in alcohol, which is why the ban was initiated.
Kyleray Katherman, from North Bend, Oregon decided to test the water, not for a Science project but an English assignment. The student is reported to have tested four water fountains and one toilet to challenge this ban and prove his suspicions.
Guess which was cleaner? It wasn't the water fountains! He then asked students where they would prefer to get their water. And that was not the water fountains, either.
Katherman attends the Oregon Coast Technology School that "operates at North Bend Middle School with a focus on infusing technology into all areas of study." It was reported that classmates, teachers, administrators and board members said they had no idea the water was unclean.
The 13 year old is reported to have "used Q-tips and Petri dishes, swabbing the spigots of four fountains and sampling one toilet, dunking the cotton in the bowl’s center and then dragging it around the rim for a complete sample." The results were taken to the school’s lab and placed under light to speed up the bacteria’s growth.
He was right! The Petri dishes with fountain water were swarming with bacteria. The report did not identify the bacteria. The sample from the toilet was clean, probably because the toilets are doused with cleansing chemicals daily.
"I wanted to see the looks on their faces," Katherman said. Either allow water bottles back, Katherman urged, or install "down-pour" systems used in office water coolers.
He took his results to the North Bend School Board with an eye-opening PowerPoint presentation. The report says Administrators quickly replaced the spigots and casing at three of the water fountains and custodians gave them all a thorough cleaning.
Although the ban was not lifted, more teachers are providing water in classrooms now. "It was a great lesson. We don't always see things in and about the school that are in need of repair," said Scott Edmondson, the school's principal, adding, "You'd be surprised how clean the water is in a toilet."
How clean is the water you’re drinking at public fountains? How safe is it for you and your children? Have you had the water tested in your home? So how do you find out what's in your source? The best way is to call your community system and ask for a quality analysis. You can compare the results to EPA's National Primary Drinking Standards and National Secondary Standards to find out if it falls below levels EPA thinks are safe for certain contaminants. As of 1999, your community system will have to send you yearly reports with this information.
A note of caution: a test will only tell you what is in the liquid that day. Public treatment plant failures can occur intermittently, and pollutants can be present after these failures or after other events (e.g., after farm fertilizing periods, heavy rains, or season changes).
Knowing what's in your source will help you select a water purification system. If it is high in rust and/or sediment, or if you wish to reduce odors and chlorine in all your faucets, showerheads, and appliances, you may wish to have a Whole House filter installed. If you are concerned about bacteria, lead, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), installing a filter under the sink would be beneficial. This will also provide great tasting refreshment for the whole family!
People who use private wells are not immune from problems either. Water should be tested yearly or more frequently if you are aware of land spill contamination.
Water Resource: http://www.heartspring.net/water_testing_home.html 
By Avis Ward of GeoVi’s Home for New Life
This Article has been viewed 569 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Avis, I believe the janitor of that particular school should be recommended for a raise. I used to clean toilet bowls as my job at one time and I did my job well. Only nobody ever notices the work done by those who do all the dirty work.David, you're absolutely right! The janitor wasn't mentioned in the news article I read. It's the least of these that are recognized in the Kingdom. You made an excellent point, one I hadn't thought of. Thanks for commenting on this story.
Avis, what an incredibly informative article! Personally, I have never trusted water fountains because I often see the children 'mouthing' them but many people do and schools, especially, should be on top of their offerings. Also agreed with Davids above response. You know somethimg, Ms. Ward? You certainally are a plethora of information and I truly enjoy reading your articles!Judi, thank you for the wonderful comments! I appreciate them so very much. I'm honoured to have my articles read. I experience a sense of joy to know I've deposited something positive into someone's life. I, enjoy your writing, too. It's filled with life's lessons, makes one think and inspires us to do better.
Well done. Here in Europe we seldom get balanced reporting.Thank you! Your favourable comments were appreciated.
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