The study by University of Otago, Wellington public health researchers found only 20 per cent of playgrounds surveyed had a functioning water fountain.
Study authors randomly selected 54 playgrounds from 17 local government areas in the lower North Island and found just 11 had working fountains within 100 metres of the playground equipment.
"Having people drinking more water instead of sugary drinks is good for the health system and the costs it has to bear – so it just seems like councils and the central government are way behind on this issue," Wilson said.
Over one third of children (2 – 14 years old) were obese or overweight according to the most recent New Zealand Health Survey.
While there was no scientific evidence water fountains could reduce obesity, anecdotally people used fountains when they were available and noticed if they were not, he said.
The authors called on the government to impose minimum mandatory requirements for drinking fountains and extend access to malls, beaches and public parks.
Maintenance, including ensuring drinking fountains appeared clean, was important to increase public confidence in the supply of safe drinking water, particularly in light of the recent contamination crisis in Havelock North.
Some fountains in the study had grass growing out of them or green "sludgy" build up around the nozzle.
Publicly available drinking water, though free, had to compete with a huge increase of sugary drinks for sale.
– Stuff