Healthy Hydration Partnership Offers Recommendations to Make Water a Priority in USDA’s School Nutrition Programs

Healthy Hydration Partnership Offers Recommendations to Make Water a Priority in USDA's School Nutrition Programs

Coalition commends USDA and HHS for making water central to the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines and pushes for bringing that guidance into schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA - As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) looks to update the Nutrition Standards for School Meals, the Healthy Hydration Partnership (HHP), a nonpartisan, science-informed coalition that promotes healthy hydration as a cornerstone of public health and nutrition, today sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with recommendations to reinforce water as a visible, consistent part of the school day. HHP's guidance builds on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which state that "Hydration is a key factor in overall health. Choose water (still or sparkling) and unsweetened beverages."

Most American children are not drinking enough water. About 80% of U.S. children do not meet dietary guidelines for water intake. Access to clean water also varies from school to school. For example, a 2025 assessment of four New Jersey school districts found problems with water cleanliness, taste, pressure, or temperature in 20% to 30% of schools. The school meals standards update is an important opportunity to close water consumption gaps for America's youth and ensure every student has access to safe, high-quality water throughout the school day.

The coalition made the following recommendations that can be implemented anytime by USDA outside of updates to Nutrition Standards for School Meals:

• Provide clear, positive messaging to choose water in alignment with the DGAs.
• Develop model hydration language for Local School Wellness Policies.
• Assess whether school drinking water is accessible, visible, reliable, and usable by students.
• Strengthen hydration infrastructure through school equipment grants.
• Re-issue USDA policy memorandum SP 49-2016.
• Prepare schools for water disruptions and emergencies.

"Students spend most of their day at school, and the habits they build there last a lifetime. That's why it's so important to ensure that students can access safe, clean, and reliable water, which is critical to lifelong health," said Jeremy Pollack, spokesperson for Healthy Hydration Partnership and vice president of government relations at the International Bottled Water Association. "These recommendations are designed to make water the first and easiest choice in every cafeteria and hallway. HHP appreciates the leadership efforts of HHS and USDA to prioritize drinking water, and we look forward to continued constructive engagement with the Administration to address chronic underhydration."

The following organizations are members of HHP: International Bottled Water Association, Drinking Water Research Foundation, Hydration Health Center, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, National Ground Water Association, the Groundwater Foundation and Coalition for Metabolic Health.

"The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans rightly elevate water as a priority, recognizing its importance to overall health and nutrition," said Ben Frech, spokesperson for National Ground Water Association. "Ensuring students have consistent access to safe, appealing drinking water throughout the school day puts that guidance into practice and helps children build healthy habits early in life."

HHP thanks USDA and HHS for their continued engagement and stands ready to work with both departments. Read the full coalition letter here.

About the Healthy Hydration Partnership
The Healthy Hydration Partnership (HHP) is a nonpartisan, science-informed coalition that promotes healthy hydration as a cornerstone of public health and nutrition. The Partnership brings together stakeholders across the health, nutrition, education, water, and environmental policy sectors to advance policies that expand access to safe, appealing drinking water, whether tap, filtered, or bottled. To join, email [email protected] or visit choosewaterfirst.org.

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