Access to Drinking Water on Campus

Water is essential. The human body is made up of up to 60% water. Most individuals drink at least 8 glasses of water depending on daily activity, location, and health to maintain normal temperature, lubricate joints and wash out waste from the body.

Ateneo acknowledges the importance of drinking water to be accessible to the busy individuals who come to the institution. It aims to provide free potable water at different locations on its premises for the consumption of students, employees, and visitors alike. Drinking fountains are strategically located near restrooms and in all cafeterias on campus to encourage water consumption throughout the day.

The Office for Food Safety and Quality Assurance (OFSQA) carries the main responsibility of ensuring that the Ateneo de Manila University is compliant with the Local and Global Food Safety and Sanitation and Nutrition Regulatory Standards for the welfare of the Ateneo community. This includes monitoring and setting standards to promote safe, quality, and nutritious food.

To ensure that the proper protocols are being followed, OFSQA has come up with guidelines to guarantee the quality and safety of all food and drinking products being rendered in the community. These guidelines, entitled “Food Safety Mandates for Food Business Operators”, were adapted from national food safety regulatory policies such as the Implemented Rules and Regulations of Chapter III: Food Establishments of the Philippines (P.D. No. 856) and the Republic Act (R.A.) 10611, otherwise known as the Food Safety Act of 2013.

One of the standards that were outlined in the OFSQA mandates is guaranteeing that all cafeterias operating in the University’s premises have allocated drinking water fountain stations in their establishments for easy access to all. In addition to this, these drinking water fountain stations must also provide clean glasses and trays for used glasses, and carry out strict maintenance of its cleanliness at all times. The equipment, location, and water quality of these drinking water fountains are carefully monitored and examined before securing the approval of the Unit Officer in Charge in the cafeteria.

The OFSQA coordinates with the Office for Facilities and Sustainability (OFS), Facility Management and Security Office (FMSO) and Central Facility Management Office (CFMO) for routine water potability testing on a semi-annual period while these offices also perform monthly testing of all water sources such as drinking fountains, cafeteria faucets, restrooms, cisterns and overhead tanks. Water sources that failed the potability testing are temporarily prohibited for use and are immediately subjected for re-analysis. Once it conforms with the specifications set by the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW), the water source shall then be made available for public consumption.

Students residing at the University Dormitories and International Residence Halls (IRH) obtain their water from available drinking stations in their own residence hallway as well as cafeterias since both locations have access to dining facilities. These simple added amenities like free drinking water make staying in the dorm a little more pleasant. For those who frequent the Professional School’s Building, the building’s map showed the location of all drinking fountains provided which can be found on every floor.

The University takes the necessary measures to ensure that essentials such as drinking water fountains are not only convenient but are also of the highest quality and are easily accessible for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus. Complaints on the quality and safety of drinking water are immediately reported to the OFSQA for proper investigation, analysis, and troubleshooting in coordination with the concerned offices.

A Water PotabilityTrend Report is documented on an annual basis by the OFSQA and disseminated to the concerned offices for necessary information and improvements.

The quality of water distributed for drinking or for production of ice is required to be in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2017-0010, the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. All the suppliers of water and ice of Ateneo are required to acquire and submit copies of their Sanitary Permit and Bacteriological Analysis of Water each month. Twice a year, they are required to submit a Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water.

The consistent compliance of the water and ice providers to the Food Safety Standards is ensured by the Office for Food Safety and Quality Assurance for Ateneo de Manila University to consistently be supplied with clean and safe water.