Dear Answer Girl,
Why does the water fountain outside the Cave have two streams of water? I tried to fill my bottle up and one stream was wasted. Something needs to be fixed so we don’t waste water.
-H20 PreserverIt’s actually not broken. Well, it may be. But the two streams are on purpose.
Interestingly, in the early 20th century, Halsey Taylor (yeah, one of the big names in drinking fountains) invented something called a “bubbler.” This bubbler is somehow in the water fountain and I’m assuming that it has something to do with the water coming out.
Anyhow, his “historic double bubbler” apparently has been and will continue to be “one of the industry’s most important innovations ever,” according to www.halseytaylor.com. Of course since the web site is promoting their products, it’s not too surprising that they would claim that.
Anyway, the double bubbler works like this: water comes in, water goes through the bubbler, water is split into two separate streams, water is projected out of the water hole into a nice arching two-part stream. The nice arching stream is enhanced by the presence of two streams, because of the “abundant pyramid of water at the apex of the stream for a fuller, more satisfying drink.”

It’s beautiful, really: the convergence of two streams into an abundant pyramid of water at the apex. It’s almost like poetry.
Well, that is how the double streams are intended to work, anyway. Apparently, there has been some kind of failure in this system because you were unable to capture water as you desired.
Haven’t we all had this lovely experience: thirsty, we bend over the fountain and then push the button, only to be sprayed simultaneously in the eye and chin by the non-converging, non-pyramid of separate streams. Thwarted!
Alas, water fountain bubbler adjustment is probably not at the top of anyone’s to-do list. So, here is my suggestion for you: Get a funnel. That’s right. If you’re going to insist on filling up bottles whose openings are too small to capture both streams of water, then you need something with a bigger opening.
Funnels are cheaper than wider-mouthed bottles. Get a funnel. With a funnel, you could even fill your water bottle from the shower, if you needed to. Or maybe from a flowing gutter.
It’s a great idea, I tell ya. I’ve actually got one attached to the outside of my backpack right now; you never know when you’ll need to funnel something. Really.
So, head to the store and pick up a funnel. I’d recommend a plastic one – preferably dishwasher safe so that you aren’t continuously carrying sketchy bacteria around. But get a funnel.
It’ll make you happy, guaranteed.

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