Water station manufacturer Civiq shares how to create a healthier school routine with one simple change.
It’s late morning. The bell rings. Students line up at the bubbler, waiting for slow refills before rushing back to play. Minutes later, they return to class distracted, tired, and under-hydrated.
This everyday routine is more than an inconvenience. It shapes habits. In a study of 475 students across two regional Australian high schools, 30 per cent never used school fountains, while 85 per cent chose bottled water instead.
Feedback from schools across Australia highlights a consistent problem: outdated drinking infrastructure is discouraging students from drinking water. Many report fountains that are broken, unhygienic, or impractical in daily use. One parent described bubblers positioned in full sun, “like molten steel to touch for most of the year”, often filled with grime. A teacher shared that only three of 15 nozzles were working for 170 students during extreme heat, forcing students to fill bottles from alternative sources. Common issues include:
- Rusty or frequently broken units
- Warm or unappealing water, especially in summer
- Poor hygiene, with awkward or impractical designs
- Long queues and limited access during peak times
When fountains are difficult to use, students avoid them. The result is reduced hydration, which can impact focus, behaviour, and learning outcomes.
What students respond to
If schools want students to choose water over sugary alternatives, access needs to be quick, clean, and appealing.
Modern hydration stations are designed with this in mind. Features such as fast bottle refilling reduce queues, while filtered and chilled water improves taste and encourages use. Hygienic, easy-clean designs build trust, and durable construction ensures reliability in high-use environments.
Equally important is accessibility. When stations are placed in high-traffic areas and designed for all students, water becomes part of the daily routine rather than an afterthought.
Small changes, lasting habits
Improving hydration doesn’t require a full overhaul. Simple, practical steps can make a measurable difference:
- Install bottle refill stations in busy areas like playgrounds and corridors
- Encourage water breaks after lunch and physical activity
- Reinforce hydration messages through health and science lessons
- Use signage or student-led campaigns to promote water consumption
- Highlight the environmental benefits of reducing single-use plastics
When water is easy to access and appealing to use, students are far more likely to build consistent hydration habits. The difference is noticeable. Students refill bottles quickly without queues. Water is clean, cool, and available throughout the day. Hydration becomes routine. Schools that have upgraded their drinking infrastructure report improved student engagement with water, fewer disruptions in class, and a stronger culture of wellbeing.
As one principal noted, giving students a say in the design of hydration stations increased their enthusiasm: students actively chose to refill bottles and engage with the space, turning a simple utility into something they valued.
Looking ahead
Many schools continue to manage outdated, inefficient fountains that no longer meet student needs. But improving access to water is one of the simplest ways to support student health, focus, and learning.
The next step is straightforward: assess what’s currently in place and identify where small changes could have the greatest impact.
Exclusive Offer
Over 2,500 Aussie schools have already made the switch to modern Aquafil hydration stations. Book a free hydration review with Civiq’s education team. They’ll assess your current setup, recommend the right solution, and provide a tailored quote. Mention EM26 for 10% off your hydration station, plus a free Aboriginal art panel or use your own custom artwork.
