The Health Education Trust

HET has written and produced this free downloadable guidance for schools on the use of water coolers. Many individuals and organisations from education, public health, the water and water cooler industry and the voluntary sector have contributed to this guidance to help ensure that the highest standards possible prevail in the selection, provision, installation and maintenance of water coolers in schools.

In schools, ‘good hydration helps to reduce tiredness, irritability, and increases concentration. It contributes to a more settled and productive learning environment’. (House of Commons written answer by Ann Keen – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DOH – 16/07/2007).

Water coolers can play an important part in offering a solution to schools within the framework of a carefully planned water policy.

This guidance is based on a clear recognition of the benefits outlined above and the substantial additional health benefits described within the document. Jointly they offer a rationale and urgency for action to ensure that all children in our schools should have ‘easy access to free, fresh, chilled drinking water throughout the school day’. (Turning the Tables 2005).

Furthermore, while the guidance is aimed specifically at schools there is no doubt that it can be usefully adapted and applied to other public institutions such as leisure services, hospitals and prisons.

Wise up on Water

Water for Health is a water industry initiative to guide and inform health professionals and health authorities, to stimulate interest and research, and to help move water up the public health agenda.

Water UK has established the Water for Health Alliance. This has broad support among professionals who understand the relationship between water services and public health. The Alliance will work closely with government and health authorities to influence policy.

Water UK has published strong evidence that drinking enough water is important for the health of children and older people and helps prevent common forms of cancer.

For a summary of research into the benefits of water click here.
Click here to visit Water UK

The National School Fruit Scheme

For more information: Click Here to visit the School Fruit Scheme Website.

The Parents Jury

The Parents Jury is an independent jury of parents that seeks to improve the quality of children’s foods and drinks in the UK. The Jury is co-ordinated by The Food Commission, an independent watchdog that campaigns for healthier, safer food in the UK.

Water is cool in schools

Good hydration is essential to children’s well being and yet in many schools, access to water is difficult, sometimes impossible. The effects of poor hydration range in the short term from thirst and headaches, continence problems and constipation to concerns of urinary tract infections, renal stones and renal disease in the longer term. There is also increasing anecdotal evidence that cognitive ability is improved by frequent intakes of small amounts of water. More research studies are needed to clarify these effects. Ensuring free access to water and promoting a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital role for schools in promoting health and providing a healthy learning environment.

The national Water is Cool in School Campaign aims to improve the quality of provision and access to fresh drinking water for children in UK primary and secondary schools.

Detailed information about the Merseyside regional campaign and their Be Cool in School booklet was covered in SNAG News Winter 2002 edition (Click Here for link and see pages 3 –