Which is best: tap, bottled or filtered water?

02/11/2017 Sidrah Ahmad

Access to filtered, purified water in the home and at work is essential and holds many benefits. While refrigerators filters and water dispensers have built-in water technology, their level of effectiveness varies. When choosing a bottleless water dispenser, you are guaranteed the lowest levels of impurities. The risks associated to drinking water filtered by a refrigerator, include exposure to microorganisms such as coliform and salmonella, which affect your health and the quality of water. The unfortunate truth is refrigerators are not as clean as they could be.

Refrigerator filters commonly use carbon filters, which remove compounds that affect taste and smell. The effectiveness of a refrigerator filter relies on the water being in contact with the carbon for extended periods of time. In a high-traffic environment such as a busy office or family home, this is likely not the case, opposed to a bottleless and countertop water dispenser. The refrigerator water filter is often out of sight. If we forget to replace or clean the water filters, they become clogged with bacteria that pose unseen risks.

Be aware of substandard carbon filters

Carbon filters are effective because the permeability of the material allows water to flow through while the carbon takes hold of all impurities; including pesticides or petrochemicals. The risk is, lower-quality filters will not catch as many contaminants, while the manufacturing process can also introduce impurities directly into the filters.

Your refrigerator could be contaminated

An upward of 19 million Americans fall ill each year due to waterborne bacteria, which needs fungus and moisture to survive – two elements that are present in your refrigerator. Contaminated foods and inadequate refrigeration is a cause of foodborne illnesses, such as the recent listeriosis outbreak in Australia and South Africa. Symptoms include a high fever of 100F, vomiting and diarrhoea. Additionally, should any items in the fridge become moldy or harbor E. coli, there is a risk the bacteria will contaminate the water supply itself.

Drink contaminant free water

Waterlogic Firewall™ protection removes virtually all known impurities through the application of UV light. How does it work? The ultraviolet lamp shines where the water is dispensed, eradicating 99.9999% bacteria moments before consumption. Such filters meet Class A standards of water purity, while requiring next to no maintenance. Additionally, the purification process is chemical-free.

Where Firewall™ protects the water quality, BioCote® sanitation mitigates against external colonization of bacteria. By leveraging the bacteria-killing properties of silver, the office water dispenser remains a risk-free means of providing a drinkable water source, ideal for high risk settings such as schools, hospitals and hotels.

Bottleless is the cost effective and eco-friendly choice

The dispensers focus on energy and time efficiencies thanks to removing the need for transportation, storage and the disposal of bottles. This results in a 72% reduction in the carbon footprint, while avoiding the use of single use ocean-destroying plastics. Depending on the number of employees your business supports, you could save 30-70% when switching to a water dispenser. Choosing an office water dispenser not only presents health and safety benefits, it also demonstrates an awareness of societal demands and a willingness to reduce plastic consumption, where possible. Couple the benefits with the added knowledge of a bi-annual service and there is little reason not to opt for an office water dispenser. By making the switch, you are not only improving the health of your workforce, you are helping the planet.