MAKING CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS

The author is Principal

ELMER S.DAYRIT

Wateris one of the mostimportantsubstances on earth. Plants and animals must havewaterto survive. If there was nowaterthere would be nolifeon earth. Apart from drinking it to survive, people have many other uses for water.

It is very essential that the water which people drink and use for other purposes is clean water. The water must be free of germs and chemicals and be clear (not cloudy).Diseasecausing germs and chemicals can find their way into water sources. When this happens the water is polluted or contaminated and when people drink it or come in contact with it in other ways they can become very sick.

Drinking non-potable water is not safe. Throughout history there have been many cases when hundreds of thousands of people have died because disease-causing germs have been spread through a community by a polluted water supply.

Drinking water is essential to health — and the availability of safe and free drinking water is essential to student success. Access to clean and safe drinking water in school is critical to students’health and wellness, but sometimes this basic beverage is overlooked.

Children spend the majority of their day at school, it is very important that the school provides fresh drinking water. Various studies have shown that schools that encourage their children to keep hydrated show a marked improvement in overall attention given as well as learning capabilities.

School must work to ensure that all children in the school can drink clean and safe water. They have to encourage students to drink water instead of sugary beverages and much more. According to Dr. Christina Hecht “Sugary drinks are the top source of added sugars for all children and adults, and the single largest source of calories for teens ages 14 through 18. This is why helping people make the switch to plain water is an important public health strategy.” The following are important facts from Hecht that reinforce the importance of making the availability of safe and free drinking water at school a priority:

1. Drinking water can help you stay focused and be ready to learn. Research shows the benefits of hydration for children’s cognition and attention. Adequate hydration plays a role in students’ mental and physical health.

2. Choosing water over sugary beverages is the healthy choice. Make that drink plain water to avoid the calories and sugars and to help prevent obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Keeping the mouth free of sugary liquids can lower the incidence of cavities.

3. More than half of school-age children are under-hydrated, or inadequately hydrated. Kids should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day, at meals and during recess and breaks.

4. Safe drinking water is on people’s minds. Before we encourage kids to drink water, we need to make sure that it is safe. Particularly water contaminated by lead, which can be introduced after water leaves utility water mains.

5. A School Wellness Policy can help ensure access to water for students and staff. Don’t forget to include drinking water in your School Wellness Policy.

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II of Northville 15 Integrated School