The Dangers Of Water Fountain Water

Water from a water fountain is a gamble, at best. It is often contaminated with chemicals such as chlorine, fluoride, mold and rust. When we’re out and about, in a pinch without quality filtered or spring water, it’s best to drink water that’s available than to become dehydrated. Observing the water fountain for certain signs can tell you whether it’s safe to drink or not. 

The above photo is from a water fountain in the Georgia Dome, three months prior to its scheduled demolition in March of 2017. The Dome was built for the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. The Dome was 19-years-old at the time of this rust contamination. Dome authorities did not know the age of the fountains.

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Staff simply said, “It’s been happening for a long time. Rust. I wouldn’t drink that.”

The Georgia Dome is being replaced with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a facility that will seat more patrons and contractually give the Georgia Falcon’s Football Team rights to parking and concessions. 

The bottle in the middle is from the above fountain. The others are bottled water. The fountain ran clear 80 percent of the time over a three day period. The water bottle in this picture is the same water bottle pictured above, on the back of the water fountain. The other bottles give perspective. 

Generally, it’s possible to smuggle outside water into a function, however, this event was a different story. The three day event lasted 16 hours each day with great physical exertion and a clear bag policy to help enforce the no outside food or drink policy. Upon entering The Dome, five security guards used a wand on your body, patted you down and inspected your bag. 

Concerns over healthy fountain water is not new. School children are at risk every day.

“In 2007, Baltimore City public schools switched their entire system to bottled water after a study of 84 randomly selected water fountains found 10 with lead levels high(er) than the EPA’s cutoff of 20 parts per billion. The school district decided it would be cheaper to provide bottled water than testing and remediation efforts,” reported National Geographic during and shortly after the above fountain was put into the school buildings. 

After the water settled, rust accumulated in a thick layer on the bottom of the bottle.

Looking back on the original photo, this is not the first time rust has been present in the water. 

Notice the brown coloring on the faucet where the water comes out, as well as near the base of the fountain head. 

Looking at the water fountain before you drink may save you from further toxicity when you’re in a pinch needing water. The Georgia Dome, and other stadiums like it, have a strict no food or drink policy. No outside food is allowed in the stadium. An empty water bottle can come into the stadium, but nothing full is allowed. This leaves the person stuck. 

Looking for brown staining, mold or excessive wear from corrosion can save you from water fountain toxins. To read more about moldy water lines click here. 

These two water and ice machines were shockingly located in Erlanger Hospital, sixth floor, in Chattanooga, Tennessee in October of 2016. This is the ice and water given to sick patients in order to heal their bodies from surgery, trauma or chronic disease. 

Inspecting water fountains is much like inspecting someone’s house. If the porch and yard is loaded with items, odds are a hoarder lives there. If the water fountain contains mold or rust on the outside, odds are there are mold or rust on the inside. 

Carrying a portable water bottle that has a quality filter is a smart option for clean drinking water. This BPA free water bottle contains a filter that states it removes the dangerous ingredients in water, all except fluoride. To read more about BPA contamination click here and here.

This water bottle with a built in filter is ranked high. This one is ranked higher.

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.