Berkeley sure loves to think of itself as a trend setter. Few would deny: Berkeley is probably the most environmentally stylin’ kid in its (national) class.

In line with this, our campus has decided that old fashioned drinking fountains, the age old alternative to dizzyingly expensive bottled water, are so 2006. In the ‘09, it’s all about hydration stations.

You may have noticed a few of these newfangled adornments in the Recreational Sports Facility, near the weight room and martial arts area. Not intended for direct hydration, they shoot a powerful stream (twice as efficient as an old-school fountain!) downward—ideal for refilling canteens and water bottles.

They come as part of a campaign within the RSF, Cal Dining, and University Health Services to promote tap water and cut down on water bottles, whose plastic vessels are an environmental concern.

Image Source: Joshme17 under Creative Commons.
Quench your thirst the Berkeley way [Berkeleyan]