I read with interest about the installation of water bottle filling stations at Wharton. While I certainly applaud the notion of reducing waste and the unnecessary expense of bottled water, I must point out that the need to consume large volumes of water each day is without any particular health benefit and need not be officially encouraged.
Except for those who are at risk for kidney stone formation, there is no benefit to consume more water than is needed to respond to thirst. If that is how students and faculty will use the new dispensers, that is fine. But those who really do not want to schlep water bottles around all day, particularly in the cool days of winter, should feel free to simply use the water fountain pictured next to the new high-tech dispenser. “Drink when you are thirsty” is the official recommendation of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
Stanley Goldfarb
Perelman School of Medicine professor
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