This article discusses the results of a study that examined the provision of water and student water consumption in food service areas (FSA) in a random sample of San Francisco, California Bay Area schools. Barriers to and strategies for implementing federal and state drinking water requirements were also examined. Researchers found that 14 of 24 schools offered free water access in FSAs; 10 offered water via fountains and four through alternative delivery systems. At schools with free water in FSAs, only 4% of students were observed drinking free water at lunch. In secondary schools, when water was provided by a non-fountain source, the percentage of students who drank free water doubled. Barriers to implementing water requirements included lack of knowledge of the legislation, cost, and other pressing academic concerns.