Coca-Cola tests new self-serve water station at college campus, plans to expand to others

Coca-Cola has developed a new approach to the water fountain.

The NOW went to Georgia Tech campus, where the world’s largest soda maker is testing out it’s DASANI PureFill machine.  

The self-serve water station dispenses water for free, but for a small fee, you can add bubbles and flavor.

For example, filling a 20-ounce bottle with bubbles and flavor would cost about $1.15.  

The company started testing the machine about a year ago, saying, "Young people, especially college students, always have two things with them throughout the day - a water bottle and a smartphone. So, we're trying to dial in to those habits and add value to a water brand they know and love with a unique solution for on-the-go hydration."

According to reports, the company says people opt in to pay for bubbles and flavor about 10 to 20 percent of the time.

For now, the machine on the Georgia Tech campus is the only DASANI PureFill machine Coca-Cola is testing, but it says it plans to expand the test in the fall, by installing 20 machines on campuses in 15 states.