For all general inquires, please send us an email at okanagan@mcmaster.ca

A yellow or red light at a refill station indicates that the water filter should be changed. If you notice a red or yellow light, please contact clerks@mcmaster.ca and include the location of the refill station.

There are currently over 200 refill stations across campus buildings with more stations being added each year.

Need to find a refill station? Check out our interactive map!

Look for the Bring Your Own Bottle Logo at the Elkay refill stations and sinks with gooseneck spouts. 

There are two places for water to be tested. The first place is before it gets to campus and the second place is at the water refill station.

• City of Hamilton water is frequently tested and consistently meets all Ontario Drinking Water Standards.
• McMaster tests water samples from refilling locations in all campus buildings each summer to ensure they meet Ontario Drinking Water Standards for lead. See Standard operating procedures for collection of water samples here and filter replacement schedule here. Look for the ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ logo for easy identification.

• McMaster uses Elkay water refill stations in academic and administrative buildings. Refill station filters are replaced when the unit displays a red signal, which is after 3,000 refills.
• McMaster also uses Elkay filters in under-counter kitchen units designated with a ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ sign, and these filters are changed annually each summer.
• Learn more about the type of Elkay filter used at McMaster.

Research about student perceptions of water bottle reuse and refilling at McMaster suggests that students are more likely to refill if they have convenient access to filtered water.

The Campus Store has a selection of McMaster bottles so that you can show your school pride and help the planet at the same time! Check out the current selection.

Single-use plastics are goods that are made primarily from fossil fuel-based chemicals (petrochemicals) and are meant to be disposed of right after use — often, in mere minutes. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and service ware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags (Source: NRDC.org).