The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation announced the ‘Cool Water Program’ that awards a total of $100,000 for 27 Wisconsin schools to receive water bottle filling stations.
Traditionally, the Cool Water Program grant covered the installation cost of filling stations at 20 schools and provided toothbrushes and water bottles to students and staff.
This year after the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, recommended schools discontinue the use of shared drinking fountains, Delta Dental decided to forego the toothbrushes and water bottles in order to provide extra filling stations at more schools.
“While the importance of drinking water has not changed, the current landscape of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how students can access water during the school day,” said Megan Tenpas, community outreach specialist. “This grant allows more Wisconsin schools to have a touchless water bottle filling station installed, which is so important in stopping the spread of germs and keeping students hydrated.”
According to Delta Dental, selection for the awarded schools was based on the schools having fluoridated water, a high percentage of students with free-and-reduced meals and the sustainability and creativity of their implementation plans to encourage students to drink more water.
