Civiq: 2500+ Australian schools escaped the “Eww Zone”

A drinking fountain upgrade that brings water back into the school day.

Another parent email about the rusty bubbler in the quad lands in your inbox. Or a student asks why the water tastes odd. Outdated, unappealing bubblers are often bypassed by students and staff.

The good news is your school can easily upgrade to modern drinking water stations.

Why do old bubblers get avoided?
It’s not just about appearance. The design causes hygiene and usability issues.

• Water can run back toward the spout on older up flow bubblers.
• Poor drainage leaves water sitting in the drinking zone for too long.
• Worn finishes collect grime and make the unit feel unhygienic.

The solution is simple: choose a setup designed for hygiene, proper drainage, and daily school use.

Make water part of the daily learning routine
To help students choose water over sugary drinks, make water the easiest option. Water should be clean, cold, convenient, and close by.

Modern hydration stations support that daily routine. They provide filtered and chilled water, make bottle refills quick during busy breaks, and stand up to daily school use without rust, drips, or slow flow.

Placement matters too. Put water where students already move. Near playgrounds, main walkways, and the canteen. When refills sit on the route, students top up without thinking and spend less time out of class.

When students enjoy using the station, they use it more often. Water becomes a regular part of the school day, just like recess or reading.

How can you make the switch easy?
“Our existing drinking troughs were very old, and 60% of the taps did not work. Students would not use them due to their appearance.” So the school replaced the old setup with eight new drinking water stations.

Each Aquafil Hydrobank has three bottle refill points and three drinking fountains, providing 48 places to refresh and refill across the campus. After that, the steps are straightforward.

• Goals: Pick what matters most. Better water quality. Better access. Less plastic waste.
• Budget: Set your budget and consider grants, sponsorships, or P and C fundraising.
• Types: Compare your options, such as bottle refill outlets, wall mounted stations, and freestanding stations.
• Installation: Plan your timeline, locations, plumbing, and ongoing maintenance.

From habit to impact
Students drink more, grounds stay cleaner, and sugary drinks become less common. Schools also reduce the pressure that comes with constant repairs, leaks, and tap issues.

85% of students reached for bottled water, and 30% never used the school fountains.

The reasons are simple: concerns about hygiene, poor taste, and designs that make refilling difficult.

Students consistently ask for the same basics:

• Clean water that meets quality standards.
• Easy refills.
• Stations that are durable and low maintenance.

Ready to get out of the “eww zone”?
Book a free Hydration Review with our team. You’ll receive a clear plan, the right station options, and a tailored quote.

Mention EDUAU26 to receive a Free Aboriginal Art Panel on qualified orders.

1300 600 300
civiq.com.au/educationau