Hydration Station aims to reduce plastic bottle waste

In an effort to help the University achieve its sustainability goals, the Oakland Center, located in the heart of Oakland University, has recently purchased and installed a state-of-the-art “Hydration Station” – a unique water-dispensing system where students and staff can fill up re-usable bottles twice as fast as a standard drinking fountain allows.

Manufactured by the Haws Corporation, the hydration station processes water that is equal to bottled water. Before water is dispensed, it runs through a NSF-certified filter to remove sediment, chlorine taste and odor. The hydration station offers users a touch-free hygienic design where an electric sensor triggers the water’s release.

The Oakland Center purchased the hydration station as a part of the Center’s initiative to diminish its environmental impact and incorporate “green” living into the campus community. “The hydration station is an excellent alternative to plastic water bottles,” said Richard Fekel, director of the Oakland Center. “On average plastic bottles take about 500 years to biodegrade. The hydration station will reduce the number of water bottles going to the landfill and thereby positively impact our local environment.”

Located on the main level of the Oakland Center across from the passenger elevator near the southwest stairwell, the station debuted on October 15 and Fekel hopes students take full advantage of the station. “In the limited time it has been in operation, feedback from students has been positive” Fekel said. “Once the word gets out, we hope to see tremendous use of the hydration station and will look for other areas of the building to install more stations.”