With the arrival of the new water fountains on Williston’s campus, students and faculty are wondering: Is the water really safe to drink when there is a red filter status? Some students refuse to drink the water when there is a red filter status, but others do not care or have not even noticed it.

Fiona Bundy ’18 says, “I still drink it if it is red because we have the best water in the nation!” However, senior Jen Cavazuti does not use the fountains when they show a red filter status. “I’m really picky about it and everyone always yells at me for refusing to drink from anything less than a green.”

Insoo Kang ’19 says, “I don’t even look at the filter sign. I just drink it when I am thirsty.”

Similarly, sophomores Kevin O’Sullivan and Noah Clack do not care about the filter status, both saying, “Where else am I supposed to get water?”

Sophomore Madison Fulcher-Melendy says, “I don’t use the water fountains when the filter status is red because I am worried there is something wrong with it.” She also adds that red means stop, and if the water was safe, why would it have a red filter status?

Mika Sovjani ’18 says, “I get very freaked out when the filter turns red because I think I might get a disease.” However, Science teacher Kevin Garrity comments that he doesn’t even know what a red filter status is.

Turns out, the red filter does not mean anything, and the water is always safe to drink.

In an interview, Mr. Charles McCullagh, Chief Financial Officer, said that there is “no issue in the least bit with drinking,” and that no matter the filter color, the water is always safe to drink. Mr. McCullagh also points out that last year Easthampton’s water was rated the best in the country.

Mr. Jeffrey Tannatt, Director of Physical Plant says, “Easthampton’s water, which is what’s going through [the fountains], you can drink with no filter at all. I’ve been drinking it for sixty years, [and] I’m still here.” Easthampton’s water does not even need the extra filter that the new water fountains provide.

Mr. Tannatt also points out that, “Bottled water does not require nearly anywhere near the amount of the testing as the town water sources do.” The water coming from the water fountain could be cleaner and safer than bottled water.

The reason the filter status turns red is because Physical Plant has not replaced the filter yet. Mr. Tannatt says, “[The red filter status] just means we haven’t gotten to them.” Over time the filters wear out, but the water is still safe to drink.

This type of water fountain was first installed when the library was renovated four years ago. The fountains were well-received and Mr. McCullagh describes this as “a test run.” Since then, Williston has twenty-eight water fountains in stock, and eighteen of them have been installed, according to Mr. Tannatt.

On Amazon, this type of water fountain is being sold for around 900 dollars. The money for this project came from an anonymous donor who wanted to donate something that would help Williston become a more environmentally friendly campus.

Williston is trying to implement more green technology, like the new high-speed hand dryers and also installing new light fixtures with low-power usage.

Mr. McCullagh and Mr. Tannatt would appreciate any feedback concerning the water fountains. Mr. Tannatt is wondering about location. “We are trying to think of places we figured people would want them,” he says.

Overall, the water is safe to drink no matter the color of the filter status.