There is a careful balance to be observed in the provision of drinking water for the workplace. Legally it is a requirement, but in providing drinking water for workers facilities managers also need to comply with a set of stringent criteria to ensure the supply is safe.
The law requires that access to drinking water should be provided for workers in any sector. Regulation 22 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 places requirements on the employer with respect to the provision of drinking water. It states that: ‘An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be provided for all persons at work in the workplace. Every supply of drinking water required shall be readily accessible at suitable places; and be conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign where necessary for reasons of health or safety.’
Over and above this, there is evidence that the provision of free refreshments such as hot drinks facilities makes employees feel valued. This leads many employers to provide chilled and hot water for making tea and coffee as standard.
Risks
FMs are well aware of the risk inherent in dealing with, operating and managing waterborne heating and cooling systems – legionella not least of these.
Similar care and a ‘zero tolerance’ approach must be applied to portable drinking water too. Often selected for the contribution they can make to an environmental policy, mains-fed drinking water dispensers are plumbed into the mains water supply, removing the need for regular delivery lorries, storage space for bottles, and the problem and cost of plastic bottle disposal.
When shopping for a mains-fed water dispenser, a unit which is supplied, serviced and maintained by the manufacturer means that all risk is passed to a specialist operator with the technical expertise and legislative understanding to ensure problems do not arise.
Duty of care is the key here. Drinking water is one of the main ways for pathogens to enter the body. Among the more common infections that staff and visitors could acquire from drink are Escherichia coli (E-coli) infections, shigellosis or bacillary dysentery, giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, noroviruses, and hepatitis A.
A case in point was the outbreak of cryptosporidium in the Northamptonshire area last year. The parasite entered the mains water supply, meaning that staff, pupils and visitors at hospitals, offices and schools using water fountains or mains-fed drinking water units risked contracting the virus. Fortunately, 360 of the affected Northamptonshire sites were swiftly reassured because they were using PHS Waterlogic’s units. A simple maintenance call ensured that all the units were operating to optimum hygiene efficiency and there was no risk for users, avoiding the severe implications for the organisations themselves.
The difference between a mains-fed water dispenser that has been developed with these risks in mind, and simply providing water from the mains supply directly, via a kitchen tap for example, is that the water dispenser is designed and built with hygiene solutions both inside and out.
Look for units that are treated with Biocote technology. This innovative silver technology can be incorporated into the fabric of the water dispenser, as standard, at the time of manufacture. Its presence inhibits the growth of micro-organisms on the exterior of units (where drinks are prepared, for example).
Biocote technology works with silver ions that form an active concentration on the surface of the machine, binding with bacteria that may be present. Once inside bacterial cells, silver denatures the enzymes, which are necessary to the bacteria for energy production. Once it is unable to produce energy, the bacteria are rendered incapable of reproducing and eventually die.
Although regular cleaning of the water machines should be maintained, the presence of Biocote effectively reduces the levels of bacteria, minimising the risks of cross-contamination and providing an added defence against the growth of micro-organisms like listeria, legionella, MRSA, E-coli and salmonella.
Interior issues
Taking care of the exterior of the unit is only half the issue, though; you should also consider the internal provision for water safety. A mains-fed drinking water dispenser that treats the water from the mains system before it is dispensed into a glass will ensure staff and visitors are protected. In-tank UV technology is the most efficient provision for this and research carried out in 2003 by the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) showed it to be the most effective way to kill bacteria.
UV technology destroys 99 per cent of bacteria and inactivates many viruses and cysts, including glandia and crypto-sporidium. It does this by disinfecting the water without the need for added chemicals. During the treatment of the water by the UV filter, the chemical structure of the water is not altered in any way, so no new chemical complexes are created which may be questioned for their safety, and more basically for altering the taste of the water itself. Meanwhile, UV technology means that none of the beneficial minerals are removed during the treatment process.
With so many complex and technical working parts it is important to ensure that all the units on a site are properly maintained, not just for hygienic reasons, but also for the basic precaution that they are electrically tested and safe to use. By partnering with a specialist provider, a regular planned preventative maintenance service plan can reduce the costs of ad hoc repairs and unforeseen replacement of the unit itself. It also provides peace of mind in the proper running and safety of the machine at all times.
A partnership of this kind can also deliver environmental benefits, as a partner can remove and replace old machines for new units, and the old machine can be dismantled. Waterlogic, for example, has its own recycling facility where parts are re-used, and materials separated for recycling.
When a staff member reaches for a refreshing glass of chilled water, or goes to make a mug of tea, it is important to understand the implications of the problems and costs that could arise if the right considerations have not been addressed, and the measures taken to avoid the risks. Financial cost in penalties for non-compliance, legal fees and a compromised reputation are all at stake for organisations that do not supply drinking water in a responsible way.
Further information
David Matthews is managing director of PHS Waterlogic, www.phs.co.uk/waterlogic