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Category: Resources/Research

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; US Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2014.
Drinking water can contribute to good health, and schools are in a unique position to promote healthy, dietary behaviors, including drinking water. More than 95% of children and adolescents are enrolled in schools, and students typically spend at least 6 hours at school each day.
Ensuring that students have access to safe, free drinking water throughout the school environment gives them a healthy alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages before, during, and after school. Access to safe, free drinking water helps to increase students’ overall water consumption, maintain hydration, and reduce energy intake, if substituted for sugar-sweetened beverages.

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This publication is meant to be an aid to the staff of the CDPH Drinking Water Program and cannot be relied upon by the regulated community as the State of California‘s representation of the law. The published codes are the only official representation of the law. Refer to the published codes in this case, 17 CCR and 22 CCR whenever specific citations are required. Statutes related to CDPH‘s drinking water related activities are in the Health & Safety Code, the Water Code, and other codes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is water important?

Water is an essential nutrient that is vital to life.  Poor hydration can harm physical and mental performance.  Healthy and calorie-free, water is the perfect hydrating beverage and an ideal alternative to sugary drinks, such as soda.  When kids are thirsty, they should be reaching for water, not soda.
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Is this really an issue?  Aren't kids able to get a drink water in schools now?

Yes, unfortunately, this is an issue!  At first glance, people might think it a "no-brainer": of course kids can get water in schools.  But, looking more closely, the situation is worse than many think.  In California, a recent survey found that at least 40 percent of responding districts did not have access to free drinking water for students during school meals.  As new laws come into effect that rid schools of sodas and other unhealthy beverages, it is vital to make sure that the healthy alternatives are easy and convenient.  Ensuring that students have drinking water easily available and accessible is a key strategy to combating obesity and encouraging healthy habits.

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What's Currently Required?

An array of federal, state, and local policies and regulations govern water availability in schools.  Recent legislation created a federal requirement that free drinking water be available to students during school meals.  Some states might also have their own policies.  In September 2010, California passed legislation, SB 1413 (Leno), to require that free, fresh drinking water be available where meals are served or eaten.  Massachusetts has enacted similar legislation and other cities and localities might have similar requirements.

Other local and state policies can also broadly influence access to water in school buildings, but these are generally not specific to availability during meals or in the areas where meals are served or eaten.  In addition, state and local policies can govern water safety and water testing.

Because policies to require water availability with school meals are relatively recent, many schools are probably not currently in compliance.  Some schools might have existing local policies or rules, perhaps stemming from local school wellness policies, that require water to be available during meals.  For more on wellness policies, click here.

What follows is a summary of the current policies related to water access and availability in schools.

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EPA, 2016. Numerous sources of funding are available to create and support healthy, productive school environments for students and staff. The links on this page describe how to find a variety of funding sources, including grants, tax credits, loans and others.

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