FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: May 26, 2016

CONTACT: Ian Gavigan (ian.gavigan@phila.gov) 215 686-3408

Councilwoman Gym Secures Drinking Water Expansion for All Philadelphia

Schools
After months of students, families, and communities speaking out, District agrees to put three
hydration stations in every school
PHILADELPHIAToday, the School Reform Commission will vote to agree to community
demands to install three hydration stations in each of its 218 schools.
Young people led the fight for water access when they spoke out about unbearable conditions in
schools where many fountains are broken and unappealing. The Districts own data showed
shocking disparities related to the availability of operable water fountains throughout the city,
leaving some schools with minimal access to drinking water.
Too often, the conversation surrounding our public schools is centered on opportunities or
challenges for just a few schools. Todays win is a victory for all students and proves that
communities succeed when we demand better for all of our schools. This is the strength of a
people-powered agenda that refocuses policymaking on restoring basic support for students and
making schools schools again, said Councilwoman Helen Gym (At Large).
Securing water access is central to ensuring the health and well-being of our young people. We
applaud the Districts decision to come through for students and look forward to continuing the
work of increasing access to nutritious options for all Philadelphians, said Yael Lehmann,
Executive Director of The Food Trust.
Since 2014, we have called on the District to address its failing water infrastructure. It is
because students raised their collective voices that we were able to get district officials to
understand the realities that we face each day. The Districts action to increase water access is an
important first step in ensuring water access for alland we applaud them for listening to young
people. We hope to see the same level of commitment to ensure that students have a formal role
in addressing broader water access issues including water outlet maintenance, water quality, and
accessibility throughout their buildings, said Nick Ospa, Lead YUC Organizer for the Water
Access Campaign.
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