Drinking Fountains May Give More Than Just Water

October 12, 2007

You put in a good workout at the gym only to find your water bottle is empty. Do you think twice about using the drinking fountain? What about using one in an area with children? While drinking fountains are generally safe, they can pose a risk of passing on germs in some circumstances, says a University of Southern California physician who specializes in infectious diseases.

Indoor and outdoor faucets are only as safe as the water coming out of them, says John Leedom, M.D. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires water from drinking fountains to be tested regularly for evidence of contamination. However, a spigot that stays wet, particularly on leaking fountains, could be harboring bacteria. That’s especially true if someone coughed, sneezed or spit on it recently, he says. Avoid fountains that don’t look clean, Leedom says. Also, running the water for 15 seconds before drinking can help wash contamination away.

The design of outdoor drinking fountains often uses a seep hole that prevents the fountain from freezing during cold weather. If the water fails to drain properly, dirty water may seep back in and mix with clean water that comes out the spout. Regular testing should identify that problem, Leedom says, but also letting the water run at outdoor faucets for 30 seconds before drinking is a good measure.

Finally, the pipes and fittings inside older fountains can pose a risk of leaching metals into the water. Let the water run before drinking to flushing those out as well.

“I have no scientific studies that would lead me to avoid drinking fountains,” Leedom says. “However, unscientific personal observations, particularly of children at drinking fountains, convince me that considerable mouth washing, spitting, and gargling is routine. It might not be dangerous, but it is not appetizing.”