This year Winslow Township School district had mandated the closure of water fountains in order to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Instead, water bottles were being delivered to classrooms throughout the district. This change has also left behind questions such as if this change is going to be permanent and what about the environmental impacts? To give us insight from an environmentalist’s  and administrator’s points of view, I asked  the environmental club advisor, Mrs. Tagmire, and Mr. Dawkins, the 11th grade assistant principal, for their thoughts.  

First,  I asked the environmental science teacher Mrs. Tagmire for her comments about the switch to water bottles. I asked her if the school was giving out too many water bottles and Mrs. Tagmire responded with, ”Yes. We can see how many wasted and half drunk bottles there are and there is no reason why anyone can’t bring a reusable water bottle.”  Ever since the water bottles were implemented, there has been an increase of abandoned and half empty water bottles all around the school. Most people just pour the water down the sink without realizing  the waste involved.  I followed that question by asking her what and how we should reuse half empty water bottles.  “Collect it and use it for outdoor or indoor plants. I utilize the water in  the partially-empty water bottles, mostly the plants in the greenhouse and some for the fish tank.  I also compile and use it  to water my plants and pets at home. Students can reuse half-drunk water bottles by not pouring them down the sink or trash, because sink water goes into waste facilities and wastes water, while the water poured onto the ground goes into plants and flowers.”

As a future conservation move, all one needs to do is bring a reusable water bottle and use the station. There are actually reusable water stations near the entrance to the Auditorium in A hall, one in M hall, and one outside the cafeteria in C hall. 

 Next I asked the 11th grade assistant principal, Mr. Dawkins his views on the switch, particularly the recent trend of wasting water bottles and he said, “Yes I see students carrying them around and using them.” He added, “They [the students] forget where they left it and then ask for another bottle.” Later, I asked Mr. Dawkins if once Covid 19 was no longer an issue, the school would continue to supply water bottles?  He voiced to me, “I would like for us to keep them but that’s up to the school and state since the state government funds the water bottles.  So, if the state doesn’t give us the money for them, then we might not be able to have it next year and we would have to return to water fountains again which may reduce the amount of water we will be drinking.” Lastly, when asked to name the best thing they liked about the switch to water bottles, Mrs. Tagmire shared, “Our students are hydrated which is an important function of our health. ”  (Although she doesn’t like the way we are going about doing it.)  In Mr. Dawkins’ opinion,  “Students have more access to drinking water on a daily basis and thus are able to practice the habit of drinking water.” Ultimately, although they pointed out some cons, both think school-provided water bottles have had  an overall positive effect on the student-health.

The change to water bottles has made water more accessible to students, thus improving hydration and the habit of drinking water. However, it also means that more students are wasting water and using a lot of plastic compared to when we had water fountains, thus raising concerns for school officials such as Mrs. Tagmire and Mr. Dawkins. But, for now, the water bottles seem here to stay.