Yale to install water filling stations in all residential college entryways by summer
The new initiative aims to improve student well-being and sustainability through increased access to water fountains across campus.

Rachel Mak, Staff Photographer
For years, students have voiced concerns about the lack of accessible water fountains in Yale’s residential colleges, citing inconvenience and barriers to hydration. Now, Yale Facilities has confirmed that water filling stations will be installed in every residential college entryway by summer 2025.
The push for water station installations began in earnest with the successful pilot on Old Campus, where students previously had no access to in-building fountains. Yale College Council’s advocacy ensured the installation of filling stations in all Old Campus entryways, and the initiative soon expanded to residential colleges.
“Water should not be an accessibility issue, and we are glad that Yale College agrees,” said Esha Garg ’26, YCC Vice President. “It is inspiring to see how this issue I started tackling in my first year will be fully addressed.”
Recognizing the importance of both hydration and sustainability, Yale’s Office of Sustainability has supported the effort.
Amber Garrard, director of Yale’s Office of Sustainability, noted that students have played a crucial role in advocating for these changes, citing past efforts like Pierson College’s installation of water fountains in 2021-22, led by a student Sustainability Liaison.
“We hope this will encourage students to stay hydrated and to reduce waste associated with single-use bottles,” wrote Garrard.
Currently, Pauli Murray and Benjamin Franklin are the only two colleges with water stations in every entryway, as they were built with them. Students who spoke with the News expressed frustration with the lack of water stations in their colleges, citing inconvenience and health concerns.
“The only place I’m ever able to fill my water bottle is at the dining halls,” said Aissatou Sow ’28. “There are some hard study days and long busy days where it would be so much easier to have greater access to water fountains in residential colleges.”
Mimi Papathanasopoulos ’26, YCC President, emphasized the importance of student well-being in this initiative. She expressed excitement about this long-standing student concern finally being addressed, counting this as a win for student well-being.
As the installation process rolls out, YCC remains committed to ensuring student concerns are met.
“We wanted to ensure that this happened as soon as possible to truly address student concerns,” Garg said. “Now, by summer 2025, 13 residential colleges are slated to have water stations installed.”
The Yale Sustainability Office was established in 2005.