PUPILS have been banned from using water fountains at Peebles High School (PHS) in a bid to stop coronavirus from spreading.

But some students have contacted the Peeblesshire News to highlight their annoyance at the new rule, which prevents them from filling up reusable bottles.

One pupil told us: “Nobody has access to fresh running water – this is a basic human right".

The school’s head teacher, Campbell Wilson, says the pandemic means the school must consider pupil safety.

But he promises that 'eco-friendly' measures will be reinstated as soon as possible, meaning reusable bottles could make a return.

'We're keeping everybody safe and this is right'

Mr Wilson said: “Huge strides were taken towards becoming a much greener school between 2017 and 2019 with our ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ campaign.

"Our young people care passionately about the planet and our role in doing everything we can to protect it.

"COVID has insisted that we change our practices and habits to ensure we keep everybody safe and this is right.

"As soon as we are able, we intend to be at the forefront of the drive to ensure schools are as eco-friendly as possible.”

In November 2019 the school celebrated going plastic-bottle free – a venture made possible by the school's eco-committee.

Single-use plastic bottles, containers and cutlery were all removed from the school and replaced with reusable alternatives which could be cleaned.

Peeblesshire News:

Picture: Pupils celebrate going plastic bottle-free in 2019, with council leader Shona Haslam marking the occasion too

This week, S6 pupil Ruby Finn, a member of the Borders Youth Climate Strikes group, told this newspaper: "Although we understand the need to close water fountains, due to coronavirus, we believe that it is the council's responsibility to find another environmentally friendly way to provide water.

"For example, selling water in biodegradable cartons rather than plastic, or allowing the canteen staff to fill up pupils’ water bottles for them.

"At the moment this is allowed but not at lunch or break, which makes it hard to do."

Last year PHS reportedly threw away 900 plastic bottles a week prior to the introduction of the reusable items.

What the council says

In response to the complaints about the closure of water fountains, an SBC spokesperson said: “The council is working to balance its environmental responsibilities alongside ensuring both pupils and staff are kept safe in our schools during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We have worked closely with the eco-committee at Peebles High in the past and we are happy to continue to support their and all of our schools’ efforts to become more environmentally friendly, as we have through our Zero Waste School Champions project.

“A number of water fountains in our schools and in public areas are currently closed due to current coronavirus restrictions.

“Once restrictions ease, we will review this position, and are currently looking at options which would allow water fountains in our high schools to be safely used again, such as foot pedal-operated units.

“Water bottles are available in schools to ensure the safe provision of drinking water.

“We encourage our schools to recycle as much as possible, including these water bottles.”