Ideas

Why This Matters? Every year, thousands of Brunel students spend extra money on bottled water, not because it’s safer, but because it tastes better or they don’t trust the tap. Given that Uxbridge’s water supply is among the hardest in the UK, filtered water offers a practical solution to improve drinking quality in accommodation halls. Research shows around 1 in 3 students buy bottled water daily. Students spend a good chunk of money every year on bottled water. International students are especially likely to do this, as they are less familiar with UK tap water. According to a UK survey by TAPP Water, 42% of people don’t trust or like the taste of tap water; in London only 36% drink directly from the tap. This underlines why a filtered-water solution in halls would address real perceptions and behaviour. Households with heavy bottled water use spend on average £380/year, even if students spend a fraction of that, the potential savings are substantial. Students also frequently experience lift outages in accommodation buildings, meaning they often must carry heavy bottled water up several flights of stairs. Installing filtered water in communal kitchens would remove this unnecessary strain and improve daily convenience. Benefits for students and university: - Health & Wellbeing: Encourages hydration and supports concentration, energy, and general health. - Sustainability: Reduces single-use plastics and supports Brunel’s environment sustainability commitment and targets. - Affordability: Filtered water eases the financial strain of rising accommodation costs by cutting the everyday expense of bottled water. - Reputation: Positions Brunel as a modern, student-focused, eco-friendly university. The Student Voice: Students are ready for this change. Filtered water is not a luxury rather it is a simple, high-impact improvement that saves money, reduces waste, and enhances the student experience. We’re asking the University to: • Approve a pilot program for filtered water systems in student accommodation. • Commit to a university-wide rollout if the pilot proves successful.