Bottled water or tap water for your water dispenser
: pros and cons
Fountain with water bottle? Fountain with connection to the water supply? Not sure which model is best for your business? Bruneau's editors present you the strengths and weaknesses of each solution here, so that you can make the best choice.
- The water fountain in the office: a physiological requirement for good well-being!
- Fountain with water bottle: pros and cons
- Fountain with connection to the water supply: pros and cons
- Cold water, hot water: how does it work?
- Maintenance: hygiene rules and good practices
- Standards, approvals and certificates
- Disposable cups, mugs and reusable drinking bottles: make the right choice
1 - The water fountain in the office: a physiological requirement for good well-being!!
Since a visit to the water fountain is the ideal opportunity to take a break, stretch your legs, and say hello to your colleagues, it is a real physiological requirement.
The World Health Organization recommends that we drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. That contributes to everyone's well-being! In order to meet this requirement, a section in the work regulations is devoted to access to potable water, with the following two obligations:
• The employer must make potable and fresh water available to the employees..
Attention: water is only considered fresh if the temperature is below 15°C.
- The employer must provide and install dispensing stations for drinks (for example, a water fountain) in the vicinity of work stations and in optimal, hygienic conditions..
In addition, appropriate maintenance, proper functioning of the equipment and proper storage of the drinks must also be ensured. There should be no risk of infection in this case.
2 - Fountain with water bottle: pros and cons
Fountain with water bottle: description and installation
A fountain with bottled water is characterized, as already indicated in the name, by the use of water bottles as refills. An electrical outlet is also required for its operation. The connection to the mains ensures that the fountain supplies both fresh and lukewarm water.
Fountain with water bottle: the consumables
At a fountain with bottled water you can choose the quality of the water (spring or mineral water) yourself or - if necessary - change it. Even when replacing an empty bottle, you can choose a different brand. These are easily installed and replaced with the head down on the base of the fountain (via a leak proof system with clip).
You choose the content of a water bottle depending on the number of users. It varies between 5 and 20 liters. Also make sure that the bottles are stored away from sunlight and away from any chemical product.
Fountain with water bottle: the maintenance tips
The water bottles simply need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. A maintenance kit is usually included with purchase.
The +
- - A simple socket is sufficient for the connection.
- - The water quality: spring or mineral water depending on the brand.
- - Simple maintenance (no filter that needs to be changed).
The –
- - The water bottles are heavy to carry.
- - The management and the stockage of the bottles.
3 - Fountain with connection to the water supply: pros and cons
Fountain with connection to the water supply: description and installation
The fountain with connection to the water mains is a fountain where unlimited filtered city water is supplied. The installation of this type of distributor must be carried out by a professional, and it requires at the same time a socket and an access point to potable water. Often this system is placed in a corridor, in a cafeteria or in a relaxation room.
Fountain with connection to the water supply: no refills needed!
Unlike fountains with water bottles, this model with mains connection does not require a refill. In this way you remove plastic water bottles from your shopping list and you save on transport costs, so that your ecological footprint is 72% lower. All this makes it cheaper and easier for you! In addition, a water fountain filters the city water, so you have pure water, without microbiological contamination or chlorine
Fountain with connection to the water supply: maintenance tips
These easy-to-maintain water-connected fountains only require a filter change twice a year. To remind you, a light shows when the filter is nearly worn out.
The +
- - There is no limit in the available amount of water
- - Concerning the water itself, it doesn't need any maintenance
- - Ecological solution
- - Saving of consumables
The –
- - Connection to a socket AND to the water supply
- - Change of the refill, twice a year
4 - Cold water, hot water: how does it work?
Certain fountains with connection to the water mains offer cold and/or hot water. The operation is similar to a freezer compartment: the water passes through a spiral that is cooled/heated by a heat exchanger. Depending on the consumption, the water is therefore kept at the right temperature (cold or warm), without contact with the air or without stagnation in the tank. This guarantees perfect hygiene.
5 - Maintenance: hygiene rules and good practices
Whatever type of fountain you choose, know that proper maintenance is essential for the health. Any company that supplies water on its site is responsible for the quality of that water and for the maintenance of the fountains.
Several good practices are recommended:
- regularly clean the inside and outside of the fountain every few weeks
- replace the filter cartridges (about twice a year) or the bottles (15 days after opening)
- regularly check the status of the fountain: leak, proper functioning...
- check the hydraulic circuit
- purify the fountain
- descale the pipes, circuits, reservoirs, taps,...
- regularly disinfect the fountain
6 - Standards, approvals and certificates
There are several certificates on the market for water fountains. Here are some benchmarks to help you understand them better and find your way around!
• The ACS (Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire) guarantees that the materials used in the manufacture of the fountain may come into contact with water and that it can be drunk without risk. This approval is issued by organizations recognized by the French State.
• The AFIFAE label (Association Française de l'Industrie des Fontaines À Eau rewards bottlers and suppliers of water fountains and, in particular, guarantees the end user optimal and controlled food safety (traceability of the products, regular and efficient maintenance , etc.) and a complete and qualitative management of the stock of bottles and cups.
• The CE label guarantees that your product meets all applicable standards to be allowed to be traded in Europe.
7 - Disposable cups, mugs and reusable drinking bottles: make the right choice
With the installation of a water fountain - whatever model it is - the question arises about the containers. Cardboard cups, polystyrene cups, cups for cold or hot drinks, designer mugs, reusable isothermal water bottles… There are many more or less ecological and economical solutions. Think of a long-term solution: the planet will thank you, and so will your wallet ;)
› Consult all the disposable cups› Consult all the mugs
› Consult all isothermal bottles and drinking bottles
