Despite a decrease in water fountain use due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are a surprising 20 working water fountains in the school, two in the basement, 11 on the main level and seven upstairs. With the help of features editor, junior Maria Sofronas, each water fountain has been evaluated based on taste, temperature, cleanliness, and location to decide which are the best and worst in the school.

I discovered three types of water fountains: the simple, old fashioned fountain with one spout and one button; the newer models, with a water bottle filling station that tracks how many plastic bottles have been saved; last, a version that is in between, not as old as the ones with a blue tile backsplash but also not new enough to have a fancy water bottle feature. A trend I found was the older models tend to have colder water and the newer models are warmer but typically have a better taste.

Starting off in the basement, there are two fountains to choose from. In between the entrance to the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms is the better of the two. It has a water bottle filler, which is convenient for anyone going to a practice or gym class. But it is only useful if you are coming from the locker rooms, other than that, it is out of the way. The taste is decent, a solid seven out of ten and it is refreshing for anyone going to a sport, giving it a nine on the coldness scale. Overall it’s a good option if you are in that part of the school, especially before a sports practice.

The other water fountain in the basement, across from the cafeteria, does not score so highly. It is an older model with a button that is difficult to push and a dirty spout, giving it an overall six on the cleanliness scale. It produces cold water but that does not make up for the taste, which was rated a generous four. If you eat lunch in the cafeteria, you are definitely better off bringing a water bottle or making a pit stop at a fountain upstairs.

Moving up to the main level, across from the main gym, is definitely the worst water fountain in the school. Not only is the taste rated a one but the temperature is not much better, with a three out of 10. It is the oldest model and through what must be years of use, a mildew like substance has formed around the spout. I would avoid this water fountain at all costs. If you are near this fountain and in need of a refreshing sip, I advise walking down the stairs to the fountain between the locker rooms for a much more enjoyable experience.

At the end of the English hallway, near room 160, is one of the best fountains in the entire school. It is a rare find in which both the taste and temperature are an eight out of 10. Not only is the water tasty but the fountain is also in a convenient location, in a busy hallway intersection. The only negative to the fountain is that the metal piece over the spout is broken, however it does not seem to harm the drinking experience in any way.

Moving upstairs, we have a personal favorite. The water fountain in the math hallway is so refreshing that I was inspired to write this article so more students knew of this hidden gem. The taste is good but the temperature is what really brings it above average. I strongly recommend you stop at this fountain for an icy slurp before entering math class. “The water fountain in the math hallway is my favorite, it’s cold and has strong water pressure,” sophomore Mathew Zhang said.

Located next to the locker banks between science hallways is an unexpected find. When taste testing this fountain, I was immediately expecting the worst due to a mysterious black and orange substance sitting on top of the drain. With a fountain so disgusting, I really wanted to hate the water it produced. But after taking that first sip, I learned an important lesson: never judge a book by its cover. The water was cool and crisp, tasting just like bottled water. If you can move past the disgustingness of the fountain and the rumbling sound it makes when used, then you’ll have had the best tasting water in the school.

An honorable mention is the water fountain outside the far right entrance to the auditorium. This fountain has the strongest water pressure in the school, so strong the water almost lands on the ground past the fountain. This definitely makes the drinking experience more difficult but tall people do not need to bend down when taking a sip.

On my adventure through the halls, taste testing the water fountains that students often ignore, I have found both delightful and disappointing fountains. Don’t let my extensive research go to waste, whether you use them to refill your water bottle or to catch your breath after walking up four flights of stairs, the water fountains I rated the best in the school are worth a taste.