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Hydration education
It has been widely documented that keeping hydrated can increase concentration, reduce fatigue and irritability and result in a more relaxed and productive environment. Yet some schools are still unaware of the benefits of providing their pupils with easy access to free, fresh drinking water. Could the Health Education Trust’s recently published guidance for POU installation in schools make a difference?
The sight of personalised water bottles adorning the desks of pupils at UK schools has been a welcome one over the past few years with feedback indicating that short attention spans, tiredness, urinary problems and headaches could be minimised with regular fluid intake. Not only is the provision of free, fresh drinking water expected under Government School Food Standards (DfES 2006), but it is also recommended that water be presented in an easily accessible and hygienic way, and preferably chilled. This renders mains fed water coolers the ideal solution for schools who are looking to implement a water policy as part of their whole school policy approach to food and nutrition.
Aiming to ensure that POU cooler installation is carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines, the Health Education Trust, an independent charity, has launched a toolkit specifically for schools. The Water Cooler Point of Use Guidance for Schools document was developed with the assistance of various sources, including the European Point of Use Drinking Water Association (EPDWA), Water UK, Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC) and the National Governors’ Association (NGA).
“Water coolers can play an important part in offering a solution to schools within the framework of a carefully planned water policy,” explained Health Education Trust Director, Joe Harvey (left). “Many individuals and organisations from education, public health, the water and water cooler industry and the voluntary sector have contributed to this guidance. Our hope is that it will help ensure that the highest standards possible prevail in the selection, provision, installation and maintenance of water coolers in schools.”
10 key points
The main advice has been summarised into these points:
Regular fluid intake can protect against the effects of poor hydration, while mains water, being a freely available drink, can positively contribute to fluid intake, protect health and assist in obesity management.
Free, fresh, preferably chilled water should be available at all times of the day, and its provision will contribute to achieving Healthy School Status.
Schools should have a water policy, of which enhanced water provision through POU water coolers can play a part.
Concerns surrounding the provision of extra water facilities, such as spillages, should be balanced with the potential benefits of improved concentration and health, and worked on.
How water is delivered to pupils, for example through reusable sports bottles, disposable water bottles or disposable cups should be explored.
A minimum of one cooler per 200 pupils and staff is advised to avoid queues and pupil frustration.
The coolers should be pupil friendly and not easy to damage.
Schools should discuss cooler maintenance with their POU suppliers and designate and train staff to ensure coolers are kept clean.
It is recommended that schools rent coolers, but other options, such as purchasing or initiatives by community stakeholders like local water companies should also be considered, depending on the individual school’s requirements and commitment to maintenance.
>Supplied by local water companies, tap water is monitored and regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. It is safe to drink and of high quality. POU coolers must comply with the Code of Practice on cooler provision and servicing as set by the EPDWA.
Why POU?
The toolkit is particularly applicable to schools where current water facilities may be outdated, poorly planned, inadequate, inappropriately located and uninviting to use. For example, fountains are not recommended as they are difficult to keep in a hygienic condition, taps fed from the mains supply rarely provide chilled water and bottled coolers have higher ongoing costs and require bottle replacement and storage space.
“To encourage children and young people to drink adequate water at school, drinking water needs to be a pleasant experience rather than one to be endured or avoided,” said N Brander in a Drinking Water In Schools article in the Nursing Times. “Mains-plumbed water coolers are popular with pupils as they provide fresh, palatable and chilled water from the same modern and attractive facilities routinely enjoyed by adults in offices.”
It is recommended that the coolers installed are able to meet the rigours of the school environment, have a high chilling capacity, are attached to the wall and floor to prevent vandalism, have no protruding features and contain a protected water dispensing nozzle to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. They should also be located with easy pupil access in mind, have clear, visible instructions, be properly supervised and not placed in toilet areas.
In terms of hygiene, schools are advised that a trained member of staff should manage the regular cleaning of the coolers, while filters should be changed every six months according to EPDWA guidelines. Sanitisation should be carried out at the beginning of each school term, with peroxide sprays and wipes, provided by the supplier, used to clean the cooler taps regularly.
Water delivery
The presentation and delivery of water can alter how it will be perceived by pupils and therefore impact on their consumption. The preferred option is the reusable sports bottle due to its easy cleaning, long life span and possibility of customisation. Coolers must therefore have sufficient space under the dispenser spout for the filling of bottles. The vessels are normally made available to schools at reduced costs or can be provided free of charge as part of a wider cooler package.
Increasing education
According to Food in Schools 2005, research shows that schools that develop an effective water policy alongside improved facilities results in water being consumed more regularly. Educating children, staff and parents about water requirements, the benefits of hydration and water sources can play a vital role in each school’s policy. The following activities are recommended to increase education:
• Setting up a School Nutrition Action Group to include staff, caterers and pupils.
• Reinforcing messages about hydration during assemblies and PSE classes or through discussion in class tutorials.
• Displaying pupil-designed posters in classrooms, dining rooms and near POU coolers.
• Handing out leaflets and information sheets to children, and showing them where the coolers are located and how to use them.
• Sending out informative newsletters to parents and governors.
The Water Cooler Point of Use Guidance for Schools toolkit also contains checklists for schools to evaluate their water provision and install coolers correctly, as well as further advice about managing behaviour and risk within schools, operational management and maintenance issues and how to choose the correct cooler. Also suitable for other public institutions, such as leisure services, hospitals and prisons, it is available for download from the <1>.