When Star of the Sea School installed one of the very first Urban+ CF400 Hydration Stations back in May 2022, the goal was simple: create a practical, durable hydration solution that students would actually use.
More than four years later, the verdict is clear — mission accomplished.
In May 2026, Urban+ caught up with Principal Tony Barron to reflect on the school’s experience with the CF400 and how the unit has performed after years of constant daily use in a busy school environment.
The answer? Better than expected.
For Star of the Sea School, choosing the right hydration station wasn’t just about ticking a box for drinking water access. The school wanted something that looked modern, worked efficiently, encouraged bottle refilling, and could withstand the demands of hundreds of students using it every day.
“The look of the unit is very impressive. It also caters for both the bottle fill and bubbler,” said Principal Barron.
From the beginning, the school focused on finding a solution that balanced performance, practicality, and long-term value.
“We wanted practical, affordable, efficient units that are still durable.”
And four years later, the CF400 continues to deliver exactly that. In an environment where school infrastructure is constantly tested by heavy daily use, reliability matters. The CF400 at Star of the Sea continues to provide chilled, filtered drinking water day after day — proving that investing in quality infrastructure pays off long term.
In fact, since the original CF400 installation, Star of the Sea School has gone on to invest in an additional CF400 unit along with other Urban+ products across the campus — a reflection of the school’s confidence in Urban’s product quality and long-term performance.
Star of the Sea After
The real success? Students actually want to use it.
The biggest measure of success wasn’t just durability. It was behaviour change. Since installation, the hydration station has become part of everyday student life — encouraging children to refill more often and stay hydrated throughout the school day.
“Absolutely. Children even bring bottles empty, just to get the cold water at school!”
That excitement around hydration is exactly what schools hope to achieve — creating healthy habits through infrastructure students genuinely enjoy using. The response from parents and the wider school community has been equally positive.
“Amazing. Parents love them, and the fact that our students have access to cold, filtered water.”
Practical, stylish, built to last.
One of the standout features for the school has been the convenience of combining bottle refill points and bubblers into one streamlined unit. But functionality alone wasn’t enough. Star of the Sea also wanted a hydration station that complemented the school environment and felt modern, welcoming, and student-friendly.
“[We] wanted a stylish yet practical unit.”
That combination of usability, aesthetics, and long-term durability is exactly what the CF400 was designed to achieve.
Star of the Sea After
A seamless experience from start to finish.
For schools, the process matters just as much as the product itself. From initial enquiry through to installation, Tony described the experience working with Urban+ as straightforward, efficient, and professional.
“Excellent. Seamless, quick, efficient. Very professional.”
And when asked whether he would recommend the CF400 to other schools, councils, and organisations, his response was immediate: “Definitely. A great overall unit.”
More than a drinking fountain.
Urban+ believes hydration infrastructure should do more than simply provide water. It should:
- encourage healthier habits
- support student wellbeing
- improve the everyday school experience
- most importantly — it should last
More than four years after installation, the CF400 at Star of the Sea School continues to prove exactly that.
If you’re looking for a hydration solution that students will actually use, and one that’s built to stand the test of time, Urban+ would love to help
Visit Urban+ via the links below
