W06: Drinking Water Promotion – Above Green

(1 point)

INTENT

Promote proper hydration through the consumption of drinking water over less healthy alternatives by promoting high quality drinking water accessibility.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires readily-available and maintained dispensers for drinking water.

ISSUE

People in many parts of the world are inadequately hydrated. For example, nearly a quarter of American adults and children do not drink plain water on a given day. This contributes to the fact that roughly a third of American adults and half of children are inadequately hydrated. Similarly, in Italy, 75% of women and 90% of men consume less than the European Food Safety Authority's Adequate Intake, and the average consumption of plain water in Australia is just one liter per day. Inadequate hydration is associated with higher BMI and nearly 60% greater odds of being obese. Individuals who remain hydrated by swapping plain water for sugar-sweetened beverages face their own set of risks, covered in greater detail in the WELL Nourishment concept.

SOLUTIONS

The first step toward increasing consumption of plain water is to make it easily available. This includes removing barriers to accessibility. When the addition of drinking fountains is combined with information sessions, consumption of plain water increases. Finally, since poor maintenance of drinking water facilities discourages consumption, it is important to keep water dispensers in a state of good repair.

IMPACT

By providing free and easily available drinking water in well maintained dispensers, projects can further encourage consumption of plain water.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Ensure Drinking Water Access (1 point)

Verified by Architectural Drawing, Operations Schedule

For All Spaces except Dwelling Units

The following requirements are met:

At least one drinking water dispenser (minimum one per floor) is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of all regularly occupied floor area and in all dining areas.
All newly installed drinking water fountains are designed for water bottle-refilling.
The mouthpieces/outlets, protective guards and basins of drinking water fountains and dispensers are cleaned on a daily basis.