Rapidly changing consumer preferences are outpaced by our increasingly fast paced and hectic lifestyles. The health conscious consumer wants readily available, ethically packaged products on the go. Vending manufacturers have been quick to profit from the health conscious consumer, and sensibly so. Be it in the workplace, at the gym, or in your downtime, the one thing your body will always require is hydration. However, we are as thrifty as we are health conscious. So how are vending manufacturers and water-cooler manufacturers convincing us that paying for bottled and filtered water is best?

Bottled Water

There are two main types of bottled water on sale, mineral and spring water. Spring water is taken directly from the source or spring, whereas mineral water comes from deep within the ground, having flowed over mineral laden rocks and is therefore high in mineral content. The Drinking Water Inspectorate notes that two thirds of tap-water comes from surface water in the form of reservoirs and lakes, with the remainder coming from ground water which are both then treated. The Royal Society of Chemistry claims that there are no proven health benefits to drinking bottled water over tap water. If this is the case, why are we so ready to part with our cash for it?

The media has been quick to stoke up health fears citing instances of public water supply contamination which has led many consumers to opt for purified bottled waters, especially in the urrent climate of swine-flu outbreak.

WATER COOLERS

The British Water Cooler Association (BWCA) asserts that employers choose water coolers not only to fulfil their legal obligations, but also because they recognise that hydrated healthy workers will be more productive. They note that the British Nutrition Foundation recommends eight glasses of water a day or more for those in physically exerting work and the elderly. Research shows that performance and concentration levels are significantly impaired when we are dehydrated.

The British water-cooling market is booming and has grown to approximately 720,000 water coolers, becoming the largest in Europe since 1989, according to a BWCA report. This shows no sign of slowing, and water coolers are now beginning to feature in homes as parents are keen for children to replace sugary drinks with water.

The carbon footprint left by transportation of water supplies, and the plastic cups and bottles which can be damaging to the environment has led to criticism of water-coolers as a replacement for using the tap. However companies such as Powwow now recollect bottles to be reused and they recycle damaged ones through use of a third party, whilst plastic cups can be recycled by Save a Cup.

Green issues continue to creep up the public agenda, and water-cooler manufacturers have been quick to adapt to these new demands. Many workplaces, schools and universities are now opting for greener ‘plumbed-in' water-cooling systems, eliminating the need for large bottles, which in some cases can be hazardous to the environment.

Water Coolers Direct (WCD) recently installed a plumbed in water-cooling system at Pollock Halls in the University of Edinburgh. The university has a sustainability policy and chose the plumbed in service to meet these requirements. They now save time spent by employee's changing bottles, the accompanying administrative work and health and safety headache. Ian Macauly, assistant director of catering underlined the environmental benefits by saying that it would have "significant environmental benefits as less glass, plastic and fuel are required across the supply chain process".

Managing director at WCD Fred Cairns Palmer echoed these sentiments, saying that 80% of customers were moving to a plumbed in system to save on time and cost over the financial year. He adds, "It's a more efficient, environmentally-friendly water beverage offering." WCD's WCD-5 range has received full approval from the Water Regulatory Advisory Scheme, fast becoming the benchmark for standards within the vended water industry.

WATER FILTERS

BRITA offers a new product for the treatment of water for water dispensers that are plumbed to the mains water supply: the PURITY C1000 AC. The filter clears the water of any unpleasant tastes or smells and protects the downstream device from impurities by means of highly effective particle retention. With this new filter, BRITA Professional expands the PURITY C product range by adding an activated carbon filter.

As is already known from the AquaVend Cool filter cartridge, a two-stage filtration can also be used for water dispensers. This consists of the pre-filter in the form of the PURITY C1000 AC filter cartridge and a downstream filter, the AquaVend Cool Micro filter. This second stage is placed as close as possible to the point where the water is dispensed. As well as removing even the finest particles, the filter also reliably extracts microbiological impurities from the tap in the direction of the cooler.

In the PURITY C1000 AC the ‘AC' stands for active carbon which ensures outstanding water with respect to clarity and taste, which is odourless and visually perfect. In addition, the filter is installed directly between the water supply and the access point of the downstream device. All the tap water flows through expansion media in the filter, in which coarse impurities are trapped. Then the water flows through the activated carbon filter. This is not made up of layered carbon, but is made from a very solid block. The extremely fine-pored carbon block holds back even fine particles of up to half a micrometre (0.5µm) in line with NSF Standard 42. The filter can be operated horizontally or vertically, as no channels are created in the carbon filter. This  means that the filter guarantees optimum and constant filtrate results, until it is exhausted.

Like all the other solutions from BRITA, this filter system has been checked and certified by independent institutions. The filter heads are designed for a long-term service life of 10 years. The filter cartridges should be replaced when they are exhausted - at the latest after one year.

Locations that pose specific hygienic challenges, including hospitals, retirement homes, nursery schools and doctors' surgeries, require special measures. Stringent hygiene levels are also required if water dispensers are used continuously or if they are left unused for long periods. In addition, the water quality can differ from region to region.

BRITA Professional has developed the AquaVend Cool Micro filter in order to meet these extremely challenging requirements. It is installed as a second filter directly in the water cooler between the cooling tank and the point where the water is dispensed. It acts as a downstream POU (point of use) filter.

The AquaVend Cool Micro filter uses a fine membrane to retain the smallest particles and germ-forming organisms on a reliable long-term basis. It also prevents potential contamination spreading from the point at which the water is dispensed back to the tank. The AquaVend Cool Micro filter is approximately ten centimetres long and has a diameter of at least seven centimetres. In combination with the PURITY C1000 AC or the AquaVend Cool filter cartridge, the AquaVend Cool Micro filter provides the all-round hygiene solution for water cooler applications.

WATER ON THE GO

Consumers living fast-paced lives now want to get their vitamins and minerals on the go with vitamin enriched and flavoured waters becoming increasingly popular. Internationally renowned designer Orla Kiely and BRITA have announced a major collaboration to produce what is said to be the world's first designer, ecofriendly, reusable water bottle - the Wottle.

Approved by the Carbon Footprint scheme, the Wottle has been designed as an all-year round ‘must have' accessory for drinking water on the move whilst creating less waste. The 500ml Wottle features Orla Kiely's signature Stem design and a rubber finger grip that can be adapted for portability. Simply fill and re-fill with fresh BRITA water to enjoy wherever you are.

Despite the fact that many of us are still happy with what comes out of the tap, there is a growing market for bottled and filtered water. In the last ten years health and ethically produced products have become the key trends in both the food and beverage markets. Beverage, vending and water cooler manufacturers are making healthy profits from the sale of mineral, spring, flavoured and vitamin enriched waters. Previous environmental concerns are firmly in the past as companies rush to offer recyclable bottles to satisfy clients.

Water vending manufacturers have clearly benefited from increasingly health-aware consumers and this lucrative trend looks to be on the ascent.

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