Water Is Drinkable Regardless of the Filter Status Lights on Water Fountains, University Says

By Alzahra Kolaib | April 13, 2026

A water fountain located in the Campus Center at the University at Albany.  Photo Credit: Alzahra Kolaib / The ASP

Red light, yellow light, green light— the signals may matter when driving a car, but on the campus water fountains, they no longer matter.

The University at Albany has intentionally disconnected the filter status lights on most of the fountains on the Uptown Campus and are replacing filters instead “as needed” based on their own routine tests of water quality, according to the university’s Public Information Director Amy Geduldig.

“The University’s water fountains are functioning properly and are not in need of repair,” Geduldig said. “They receive regular preventative maintenance, including routine inspections and filter replacements.”

Geduldig said the lights on the Elkay water fountains are designed to track the number of water bottles filled, not the actual quality of the water.

“The status lights on fountains have been disconnected as they were being triggered by the number of water bottles filled rather than water quality,” she said. “It became increasingly clear the status lights were causing confusion and unnecessary concerns about the water quality.”

Only one out of 27 Elkay water fountains the ASP observed had a functioning status light.

According to the master distributor of Elkay, Equiparts Drinking Fountains, the filter indicator system, is designed to tell when a filter is no longer functioning effectively. A red light means the filter has exceeded its 3,000-gallon capacity and should be replaced immediately.

At that point, the filter can stop effectively removing contaminants like lead, chlorine and sediment. Elkay also notes that expired or clogged filters can lead to less water flow, unpleasant taste or odor, and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, contaminants that were trapped by the filter can potentially reenter the water flow if the filter is not replaced.

Instead of relying on the lights, the university said it does regular water testing across campus. These tests check for contaminants like lead, copper and bacteria.

“The University proactively and regularly tests drinking water across campus,” Geduldig said. “All samples have tested well below the levels established by the EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency].”

This may be good news for some students and faculty who have been hesitant about drinking the water. 

"The water filter has been red for over a week," said Julius Faulkner, Assistant Director for Social Justice Education, referring to the water fountain located near the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.

Light or no light, Zainab Badani, a junior majoring in biochemistry, said she drinks from the fountains on campus frequently. “Water just tastes weird. When the filter lights are off, it makes it more undrinkable," she said. 

Another student added, “I only drink when it’s green. Even when it’s yellow, I don’t drink it because you’re telling me that it’s partially safe for drinking.” 

Geduldig said that the Facilities Department uses a specific timeline to test the water. Facilities conducted another round of water quality testing in late March. As of April 9, the results were still being awaited.