Water dispensers in schools: District welcomes Rotary initiative

Drinking is important for concentration and performance in class. And water is the healthiest thing children can drink. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg therefore welcomes the initiative of the Rotary Club Korbach - Bad Arolsen, which this year provided schools in the region with modern drinking water fountains as part of the "gesundekids - Macht die Kids fit!" project.

Fresh, chilled, still or sparkling
From now on, Korbach's Paul-Zimmermann-Schule, Schule am Enser Tor, Berufliches Gymnasium and Berliner Schule schools, as well as the Sachsenhausen centre school, will also have a choice of fresh sparkling and still mineral water at room temperature or chilled from the new water dispensers - unlimited and free of charge for the children at the schools.

In 2024, the club handed over water dispensers to the Christian Rauch School and the Kaulbach School in Bad Arolsen, which are very popular with the students. More have been installed at the schools in recent weeks - and are financed by the proceeds from the Rotary Club's mulled wine stall at the Korbach Christmas market. "A total of around 30,000 euros in donations from club funds will be channelled into the campaign," reports President Alexander Kiel from the Rotary Club Korbach - Bad Arolsen. "The beneficiary schools are in the area covered by our club. We selected them based on technical feasibility."

Good water goes to school
This year, the Rotary "Healthy Kids" initiative is installing over 50 new drinking water fountains in schools across Hesse. "Project coordinator Dr Heidemarie Krüger from Baunatal is particularly proud that the first fountain has been installed at the Paul Zimmermann School in Korbach. The project is also supported by funds from the "LEA - Healthy Kids" district fund.

The water dispensers are designed as stainless steel columns and treat the connected tap water accordingly. In order to install them in the schools, the district laid the pipes for electricity, fresh water and waste water. The building management department organised the installation on site and created the necessary conditions in the schools

"The donors encourage pupils to drink water regularly," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst, praising the campaign and thanking the club for its commitment. "Ideally, they also help children to reduce their consumption of sugary drinks." The campaign also promotes more environmentally conscious behaviour, as the water dispensers reduce the need for disposable plastic bottles. "All in all, the water dispensers are a good contribution to promoting pupils' health."

Caption: The Rotary Club Korbach-Bad Arolsen supports several schools in Waldeck-Frankenberg by donating drinking water fountains - including the Paul Zimmermann School, where the fountain was recently inaugurated. Representatives of the club, school headmasters and District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst were present. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)

Keywords:

Building Management Department Schools and Education Department