As part of a push to reduce plastic waste, London’s mayor has announced
that drinking fountains are to return. But is it as safe as water at
home? And how do you avoid getting oral herpes?
Wonderful news! Water fountains are
coming back. In an attempt to tackle plastic waste, the old municipal staple will be installed in public places in London
so we can have a free drink and top up refillable bottles.
But can we be sure the water is clean? If your lips touch the spout,
will you get herpes or some other orally transmissible infection? Should
you wipe the spout before drinking? Or perhaps do a sneaky inspection
of the person in front of you to establish if their oral hygiene is up
to scratch?
Water fountains have been
a feature of cities since the ancient Greeks put them near temples
and dedicated them to gods and heroes. Britain caught up in the
mid-19th century, with the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain
Association responsible for 800 drinking fountains in London alone. The
technology used to help reduce the risk of infectious diseases has
improved, including slanted jets of water, filters and better
maintenance. But over the past 30 to 40 years, drinking fountains have
been disappearing because of the marketing of bottled water, a lack of
investment and maintenance by local authorities, and concern about
health risks. So, how best to ensure a hygienic experience?
The main source of contamination is on the knobs and buttons of
fountains; if you are going to wipe anything with a disinfectant, go for
the knobs, not the spout.
The risk of getting herpes from the spout is
almost negligible,
but for those who feel queasy about any public amenities, it is best to
drink from the flowing jet of water, rather than wrapping your lips
round the spout.
Remember: disease outbreaks from municipal water fountains are
extremely rare and tend to be isolated cases involving individuals with
an impaired immune system.
Modern designs of water fountains are likely to pose a negligible
risk to your health. And the benefits of access to free, clean water in
city centres are enormous. Kids can have water instead of sugary drinks;
older people can avoid dehydration; runners and cyclists can rehydrate
without having to lug plastic bottles with them. The only downside will
be for businesses that sell us expensive water in plastic bottles. Ah,
well.
