It Took Some Time, But A Starbucks Finally Got A Water Fountain

If you're a Starbucks regular, you may be familiar with the clear cup baristas typically hand you if you ask for water with your order. While a refreshing cup of iced water is a nice perk for customers, a recent TikTok video that user iamjohnnylopez shared reveals that some Starbucks customers may no longer have to wait in line for some H20. The video's caption reads "Walked into a surprise this morning" and features a station resembling a sink where customers can fill up a bottle with water. The text on the video reads "New Starbucks Water Fountain!!!!"  

@iamjohnnylopez

Walked into a suprise this morning 👍😊🙏🏼 #starbucks#coffeetok

♬ Boy's a liar Pt. 2 – PinkPantheress & Ice Spice

While the TikTok user doesn't specify what Starbucks he visited, the video has now received over 16,000 likes. The video's popularity suggests that many Starbucks customers applaud the idea. Although customers can get complimentary filtered water at corporate Starbucks locations, the water fountain's convenience likely adds to its appeal. In addition, some of the coffee chain's locations don't count as "real" Starbucks. In other words, certain Starbucks locations inside of spots like Target or Disney World are not run by the Starbucks corporation and may charge you for a cup of water.          

In the U.S., restaurants are not legally required to provide customers with free water, even though many spots offer this service. If more Starbucks locations adopt the water fountain innovation, the chain may have to navigate whether it is okay with passers-by not purchasing a Starbucks drink using the fountain to fill up their water bottles.  

In 2018, Starbucks announced that it was opening its bathrooms, patios, and café to non-paying-customers, sparking a debate that had some coffee fans questioning whether the initiative would invite loiterers to take advantage of the new rule. This year, Howard Schultz, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks, came under fire for suggesting that only customers buying drinks could use its restrooms. While some citizens believe public restrooms should be available to anyone, others believe that the policy may lead to safety concerns. Although an easily accessible water fountain in more Starbucks stores is likely to be applauded by customers, the bathroom debate may leave others concerned about the crowds the water fountain may bring.

One TikTok user Kat commented on the video with another suggestion: "Put one of these in the drive thru outside so i don't have to run across the store in peak in the way of the 12 people on the floor to get a [sic] iced water." Other users noted that the Starbucks water fountain featured in the video may not be some rare unicorn. TikTok user Rach wrote, "The one at our mall also had a sparkling water fountain." Izzy, another TikTok user, added, "I think I remember the Starbucks in my town used to have this in like 2008." While some Starbucks did away with the fountain, User Mon wrote, "ugh i wish, they always have these at the Starbucks near beaches."  

Although a Starbucks water fountain sounds like a distant dream to some coffee lovers, several Starbucks employees appear hopeful that the device will appear in their store. The Daily Dot points out that the invention is being "praised by baristas," who feel that the time it takes to make a water cup is time that could be spent serving customers different drinks. Other employees brought up that a fountain would prevent them from unwanted germs. TikTok user Ana wrote, "Can they start doing that s*** so I don't have to touch dirty a** personal cups[?]"

But some baristas are not so optimistic. One user, Probablyn0t, commented, "Now get them ice so they can get out of the line lol." Starbucks employees fear they may still have to hand customers empty cups of ice. TikTok user Pecan, who is likely an employee at a location that charges for water, wrote, "but there's no ice. and also if we're not ringing in ice waters won't our labor go down?" 

Despite these concerns, excited customers and employees wrote, "I would love this at my store" and "MY DREAM." Online discussions about Starbucks' water filtering system already explore why some customers feel Starbucks water has a special taste. In addition to public debate, "new" Starbucks water fountains lead to other questions like whether the water quality will be just as well-received as the iced water baristas have become accustomed to handing out each day.