Water is Earth’s most precious resource. Over 70 percent of the planet is covered in water, while only 2 percent of that water is drinkable. Therefore, humans must be efficient in their consumption of water.

When it comes to water fountains, thirsty people want a fountain that quickly gushes water; they don’t want to stand at the fountain for minutes waiting for their thirst to be quenched. But the traits of a superior water fountain must go beyond pressure. The perfect fountain must have a premier location in the school, and most importantly, the water must be as cold as the ice that runs through Steph Curry’s veins.

Here at Southern Lehigh High School, three students have made the ultimate sacrifice, and endured a journey to determine which water fountain rises above the rest. What started as a simple question has elaborated into a school-wide discussion.
“My favorite water fountain in the school is the one in the lifting room,” senior Will McGlone said. “It’s the best. It’s super cold and it has good water pressure.”

The results of our informal student poll yielded that people prefer the weight room water fountain over all other fountains in the school. However, this evidence is not the final word. Only a handful of students were sampled, so it cannot be labeled as the consensus of the entire school.

Overall, a variety of other answers were provided. The water fountain in the cafeteria seemed to be the next popular water fountain behind the weight room fountain, but, unfortunately for all of the participants, they’re wrong.

However, it isn’t their fault. A hidden gem of a water fountain is located in Mr. Fisher’s band room, the former cafeteria of Southern Lehigh. Since the performing arts wing of the school is isolated from most students, the water fountain never gets the proper accolades that it deserves. This water fountain has coldest water in the school by far, and it also has a consistent, powerful stream that quenches the user’s thirst in just seconds.

Of course, there are alternative sources that students could use if they don’t want to make the trek to Mr. Fisher’s room every time their throat becomes dry.

“I don’t use a water fountain in the school,” Spanish teacher Mrs. Joan Imms said. “I’m all about reusable water bottles. I bring my Hydroflask to school every day, I only drink water out of [that].”

Mrs. Imms, along with many other students at the school, make use of reusable water bottles instead of using the sub par water fountains that litter the halls of Southern Lehigh.

But those of you looking for optimum hydration should venture to the band room in order to satisfy your thirst.