Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Celebrations of course are excluded. Herbal infusions, water aromatized with lemon slices or herbs are perfect drinks as well.

Experience shows that even pupils who only drink sweet drinks at home, will quickly get used to drinking water at school.

School milk programs can run alongside the Waterschool ehos. Milk and dairy products are rich in calories and protein, they do not count as a drink but as a snack.

Tap and mineral waters differ in their mineral content. Tap water contains minerals, but the amount of minerals is higher in mineral water. Therefor not every mineral water is suitable for every person. Water with a high sodium and chloride content should be avoided e.g. by persons with high blood pressure and kidney disease.

The exact amount depends on age, temperature, physical movement and also the food taken. By sweating, exhaling or going to the toilet, we lose water which we have to "refill".

Adults average daily requirement for water is about 40g/kg of body weight. Children (primary school) need about 60g/kg body weight. But "water demand" is not just about drinking, solid food also contains water.

Tip: Check your urine! With normal quantity and a light yellow colour you have no lack of liquid.

When dehydrated, you will start to feel thirsty.  The first signs of mild dehydration (2% liquid deficiency) are tiredness, lack of concentration and even headaches. Short-term memory is impaired and cognitive performance is reduced. If the body gets too little fluid, it will be deprived of blood. The blood thickens and is no longer able to circulate properly. Oxygen and nutrients reach the brain and the body cells more slowly.

Yes. The consumption of sweetened drinks is on the rise among children and adolescents. Over consumption of high-sugar drinks is considered as one of the reasons why obesity levels are on the rise. Therefore, it is important to get children used to drinking water at an early age.

Carbonated water is a matter of taste, not of health. Mineral water is often popular because it is carbonated. You can carbonate tap water with a soda machine to add bubbles if carbonated water is preferred.

The Drinking Water Ordinance states that the operators of water supply systems have to inform the customers about water quality. Ask your water supplier or your local authority for current laboratory data.

If you want to drink tap water, you need a drinking vessel. This can be a drinking bottle or a drinking cup. Ideal are bottles with the capacity of half a liter, because this is the amount that a primary school student needs on school mornings.

If you organize water bottles for your school, be sure to pay attention to very good quality. Teachers and parents are very sensitive to harmful substances (BPA, hormonally active substances) in plastics. Glass is a very hygienic material. For protection against breakage, glass-bottles should have a protective cover, in particular for younger students.

Important criteria:

• The bottles are transparent. This has hygienic reasons. You can see if the bottle is emptied or clean.
• The materials are BPA -free.
• The bottles are individualized - each pupil gets his / her own named bottle.