Whitman plans to expand water filter use

After a water filter in AP Environmental Science teacher David Whitman’s room (E209) was installed in mid-May, over 1,800 water bottles have been filled, saving an abundant amount of plastic, energy, and money, according to Whitman.

Lead and chlorine are filtered from tap water and minerals are left intact, resulting in water that tastes the same as bottled water, he said. Each filter can fill 21,000 bottles and Whitman has one more filter, meaning 42,000 bottles can be filled before another filter needs to be purchased.

“A lot of my students use the filter, and I have kids come in [and] they aren’t mine,” Whitman said. “They just swing in, hold the bottle for a few seconds, and out they go.”

Whitman estimates that over 40 students use the water filter on a daily basis, and he hopes for more to reduce the use of plastic bottles.

Junior Adrian Kobayashi shares his perspective on the water filter and explains how it impacts his daily routine.

“A lot of the water fountains at the school don’t work, and with this water filter, I can easily fill up my water throughout the day,” Kobayashi said.

Despite the impact the water filter is making, many students are wondering why it is located in E209.

“It was difficult to get it installed near the A-building water fountains and the student bank,” Whitman said. “The installment required a lot of work, and there’s always the issue of vandalism. I can imagine someone poking it and damaging it. Then it won’t work for anybody, so at least in here, it’s safe.”

However, Whitman’s main goal is to make the school more environment friendly. He still plans to fundraise for another water filter, but this time it will be on campus, making it more convenient and accessible to the student body despite possible property damage.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about water,” Whitman said. “We’d all be dead without it.”