Water accounts for 60% of the weight of an average person and after oxygen, is the most essential element in our physiology. According to online health and beauty retailer Health Choices: "We can survive weeks without food, but only days without water. Water comprises 80% of blood, 73% of the brain, 73% of muscle and 22% of bone. Without ample reserves of this critical fluid, many major body processes would be severely hindered."

The company goes on to explain that as well as as acting as a ‘giant cooling system' that regulates body temperature, water also carries oxygen and nutrients to all cells, helps convert food into energy, protects and cushions vital organs and joints, keeps the liver and kidneys functioning properly, helps to metabolise fats, removes and detoxifies waste from our system and is the basis for all our fluid secretions. With so many important jobs to do, its no wonder that water is such thirsty work.

"On a daily basis the human body loses up to 100 ounces of water through both urine and perspiration. Even the simple act of exhaling causes us to lose precious amounts of water vapour. Add in the factors of a hot, humid climate and strenuous exercise, and water loss dramatically increases. Diet in particular, can account for major fluctuations in water needs," warns Health Choices. 

Modern life is hectic and stressful. We work some of the longest hours in Europe, in offices that are air conditioned at best or hot and stuffy at worst. Either way our water levels will invariably be depleted by our work hard, play hard lifestyles, in which the consumption of foods high in sugar and salt together with drinks laden with caffeine are a response to the time constraints upon us. Many of us are guilty of having a cold sugary drink or a tea or coffee when we are thirsty, but really that's the last thing we need - a simple drink of water will do the job and much more besides. 

Is tap water safe?

Talking to Unison on behalf of the Water at Work Campaign Ian Pearson, the then Minister of State for Environment and Climate Change, stated the case of traditional tap water: "Drinking water regularly while we are at work keeps us more alert and productive, as well as benefiting our health and well being. The public water supply is of a very high quality. Employers can fulfill their obligation to their staff to provide an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water either directly from mains-fed taps or from mains-fed units that supply chilled and unchilled drinking water." Promoting the consumption of fresh tap water in all public buildings, he believed use of the public water supply to be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly source of drinking water, insisting that it also met the most stringent European safety standards.

However, the media shining its spotlight on incidences of contamination has made many consumers wary of taking this route to hydration. Back in 2008 for example, about 250,000 people in Northamptonshire were told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies. According to the BBC, routine tests by Anglian Water found cryptosporidium in a sample from supplies to Northampton, Daventry and the surrounding villages. The parasite causes stomach upsets and the most common symptom is diarrhoea. Twenty schools in the area that rely on tap water for drinking fountains were forced to shut and about 108,000 homes across 85 communities were affected by the contamination. Some supermarkets in Daventry ran out of bottled water because of panic buying in the morning, shortly after the news broke.

In December last year meanwhile, Professor Alistair Grant from the University of East Anglia, claimed that one in three upset stomachs in Britain, the US and other developed countries could be down to contaminated tap water. Talking to science writer and broadcaster Sue Nelson about bacteria, contaminated tap water and DNA, he revealed that some water treatment processes may fail to destroy bacteria that makes us ill.

A couple of months prior to this, The Guardian reported that drinking water supplies were to be tested for the presence of prescription drugs amid fears that rivers were being contaminated by the growing quantity of pharmaceuticals flushed "unwittingly" down the drain. The Government commissioned scientists to test river water at intake points where it is abstracted for human consumption, in addition to testing drinking water after it had been through the water-treatment cycle.

Though examples like these have done little to help the cause, on balance there are arguments for and against the consumption of tap water. Ultimately, its down to personal choice and there are a number of factors at play here.

A clearer picture

 "In modern times, concerns over water quality remain supreme. Over the years, scientists have discovered more and more contaminants in fresh water sources, and these same scientists have noted a strong correlation between drinking water contamination and many significant health problems. Due to the rampant impurity of water and the crucial, physiological need for clean, fresh drinking water, several treatment alternatives have emerged throughout the history of water treatment. Water filtration, one of the more viable and prominent of these treatment alternatives, has something of a remarkable past. Historians believe that the use of water filters began more than 4000 years ago!" - HistoryofWaterFilters.com

The British Water Coolers Association (BWCA) is the trade association for the bottled water cooler industry in the United Kingdom as well as encompassing the plumbed-in water cooler activities of its members. It says: "Water coolers have become a favourite and common item of equipment in the modern workplace. They have integrated into all aspects of working life from offices to workshops and construction sites to schools and hospitals. Today employers do not only provide water coolers as a means of fulfilling their legal duty to provide drinking water in the workplace, but they recognise the benefits derived from good hydration in the productivity and wellbeing of their staff. Water coolers are also increasingly appearing in the home as the demand for cool refreshing bottled water, on tap, is extended from the workplace and as an alternative to soft drinks and beverages for the family."

According to Brita, "Providing a water cooler for your office can be one of the best things you can do for your employees, not only can water increase concentration levels but it's a great way of being seen to support your hard working office staff. It's now a legal requirement to provide easily accessible drinking water in office environments."

The company's advice to most office based customers is to opt for a plumbed in water cooler if possible, as this type of water cooler is likely to save you and your office staff time, money and hassle when compared to running typical bottled water cooler. In addition, it adds, plumbed in water coolers deliver a constant supply of fresh tasting chilled water on tap, but with no more costly bottles to order or store, no more administrative headaches, health and safety problems and no risk of running out even in the middle of summer.

However, many of the Brita's office based clients prefer the look of a bottled water cooler especially for areas that are customer facing such as meeting rooms and reception areas. "We also find that many of our clients have offices located within listed buildings or rooms that that don't have easy access to a mains water supply, in these locations a bottled cooler can be the only option," said a spokesperson.

Also from Brita, Water Coolers Direct offer you two types of water fountain; the standard Drinking Water Fountain which is able to dispense up to 32 litres of chilled water per hour, or the Wall Mounted Sink which is fitted with a bubbler tap as standard. Both systems are ideal for schools, gyms and factory areas where high use is anticipated. 

For those that prefer the more sustainable approach of tap water, a drinking water fountain gives you the opportunity to make water available, but without the hassles associated with bottled water delivery. All of Brita's water fountains may be fitted with a filter which improves the taste and odour of your mains water supply.

Although a high quality offering, Brita is not alone in providing a number of water cooler options for offices, schools and domestic use. Taking the environmental issue head on, the Vivreau Bottler dispenses unlimited quantities of purified, chilled, still and sparkling water into clients' own-brand re-usable designer glass bottles. The product offers substantial cost savings relative to pre-bottled mineral waters and its ice bank refrigeration technology is capable of delivering very high volumes of chilled water at low temperatures. The product is ideal for meeting business hospitality needs as well as the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. 

Making a statement

In 2006, Goliath Business News claimed that bottled water had become a ‘must-have' accessory for consumers young and old. "Water has moved from a commodity to a fashion item," said Patrick Racz, chief operating officer of Icelandic Glacial, London. "It's a status thing. When I go to New York or Los Angeles, you see people walking around holding a bottle of water. They'll go to a meeting and put it in front of them with the label outward; it's really turning into a fashion statement." 

The article added that the different types of waters had created niches, such as premium waters. "Whether it is the water's origin, from Hawaii to Iceland; packaging, plastic orbs to glass squares; or purpose, benefiting charity or one's health, the premium water category is expanding the boundaries of bottled water." As in any product category, evolution is natural: "Though the flavoured water category still incorporates premium water with benefits, it too, is growing due to consumers' desire for variety. With many companies offering fruit flavours, essence evocations and menthol mentions, flavoured water enthusiasts have many options." 

As you read this we will be at the height of summer and you will more than likely be a little thirsty. If you don't have a water cooler in place, now is the time to pick up the phone!

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---