Here at Channel Islands high school, we have hydration stations at every building, but do the people who attend CI find the hydration stations to be helpful? What do the teachers think about them? Are they clean enough to drink from? 

I asked some students here at CI what they think about the water fountains. Valeria Pacheco, a senior, said, “It’s not clean and very unsanitary. I don’t feel comfortable drinking from it.”

To the left, is a photo of one of the hydration stations here at CI and it does look a little strange. Michelle Rivera, another senior says she thinks “They’re nasty, we deserve something better.” 

Some teachers had their thoughts on the water fountains as well. Mr. Kip Atwater, the water polo coach, and anatomy and physiology teacher, had important notes on the effects of not having clean water fountains. 

“Most kids at CI would rather die of dehydration than drink tap water,” Mr. Atwater said. “I believe more kids would drink water if it were cold and filtered. Hydration is one of the most important things in the human body.” 

He went on to explain the side effects of dehydration, which include, “feeling fatigued, increase feelings of anxiety, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, feeling hungry and eating too much.” 

Having hydration stations can benefit the health of many students at CI. A math teacher, Mrs. Gabriella Perez said, “They’re useful for when you run out of water and have no other option but the water does taste a little funky.” 

The hydration stations are being updated one by one as they go, one of the updated stations now resides at the library.