WAE

WAE | Water Technology

A *report says that from 2005 – 2010, 73% of the 1.5 million new water dispensers installed worldwide were point-of-use (PoU) water dispensers, not bottled water systems.  What compelled more than a million people to trust the PoU water purification technology? Well for one, a PoU water dispenser that purifies waters through reverse osmosis is a sophisticated system that uses advanced hyper-filtration membrane technology. This can remove up to 99% of water contamination and produce quality drinking water. This is especially crucial at places and institutions that need water dispensers for large consumption. In the wake of a recent WHO report that claims that at least 2 billion people drink water contaminated with faeces, the use of PoUs should see more spike than now. People consuming water in offices, parks, airports, malls, schools and colleges need an easy access to a reliable drinking water source. PoU water dispensers easily meet this challenge since these come in convenient built and shapes. Take a look – Kinds of PoU water purifiers   Table-top pitchers     Faucet-mounted pitchers     Counter-top units     Under-the-sink filters   Unlike bottled water systems, PoU water coolers do not have any exposed reservoirs where bacteria can grow, hence there is no scope for contamination from unhygienic handling. However, it’s important to understand that reverse osmosis purification alone is not the answer to unhygienic water woes. An RO system along with PoU water dispensers are both environment-friendly and hygienic. Benefits of PoU water systems Apart from employers and organizations, governments worldwide have begun to implement and enforce safe drinking water dispensers especially in the form of RO PoU systems. A report by MarketsAndMarkets that projected point-of-use water treatment systems market  to reach USD 24.5 Billion by 2020, also stated that government norms are key to succeed in this segment. As a result, PoU technology is always on the path to innovation. The manufacturers are required to adhere to the standards set by government for water treatment systems, which makes these producers continually invest in research and development activities for innovative solutions. According to a 2007 academic study, safe water dispensers in general are more cost-effective than other solutions like solar disinfection, flocculation, and ceramic filters. Another complex problem that PoU systems solve is the problem of access while maintaining convenience to consumers. The users or consumers get access to clean drinking water from the source itself. This significantly reduces the operations costs of maintaining such system because there’s absolutely no need to transport water from the point of use. Ever wondered why many airports, banks or military bases prefer PoU water systems? That’s because a major living source – water – is made accessible conveniently which results into eliminating the chances of disruptive visits for water. These institutions can cut at significant operational costs related to security and maintenance. More organizations around the world are realizing the importance of keeping PoU system as part of employee productivity. Properly hydrated workers are more productive and healthier. As per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, providing safe drinking water is one of the important criteria at workplace that employers must adhere to. A report by The Daily MBA states that -  To maintain peak levels of productivity, the body needs to be fully hydrated. Just a 1% drop in hydration could lead to a 12% drop in productivity. A 3% to 4% drop in hydration could lead to a drop-in productivity of between 25% and 50%. Contaminants present in drinking water cause a range of health problems as shown below– Health problems caused by contaminated water. Cholera, Dysentery, Diarrhea, Polio, Amoebiasis and Infections: these diseases are caused by microorganisms or chemical toxins present in impure water and spread easily. Therefore, it becomes imperative for employers to install PoU water dispensers especially if they have a large staff to manage. These purified water stations can be installed at common rooms, cafeterias and conference rooms so employees develop a culture of consuming safe drinking water. Access to clean water keeps employees healthier that in turn leads to higher productivity and  also reduces absenteeism. Point-of-use water purifiers are under-rated, to say the least. It’s time they become mainstream. *Independent research by Zenith International, specialist consultants to the food and beverage industries.

WAE | Water Technology

The concept of drinking water fountain is new to India, albeit it’s catching up fast in public places, especially in metro cities. This piece of information will apprise readers about basic aspects of current drinking water fountains technology and identify features that can help ensure their quality, convenience, and reliability. Ultimately, these features can help increase public confidence and access to convenient water sources. Schools, hospitals, and other entities managing public spaces can offer drinking water fountains with many available options, including vandal resistance, refrigeration, bottle filling, and filtration. Extremely durable cast iron drinking water fountains can withstand harsh weather, but are not appropriate for high-moisture environment as they are prone to rusting. Stainless steel fountains are more suitable in such cases; in fact, they are one of the most popular drinking water fountain types due to minimal maintenance needs and low cost. Vandal-resistant fountains are a great fit for high-traffic areas as they are equipped with heavy-duty parts such as galvanized frames and steel cabinets, which protect against damage and wear. Other drinking water fountain features can be added to cater to users’ needs. Fountain bubblers (or spouts) vary from the very basic, such as a spigot, to the much more advanced. The most common is the arc bubbler, which is equipped with a mouth guard to prevent direct contact. The most notable improvement in drinking water fountains in recent years has been the bottle filling option due to the proliferation of refillable bottles, the ease of use of these stations, and less perceived risk of contamination. At these stations, users can rapidly fill up their personal bottles, and then the water will automatically shut off to prevent waste. Bottle fillers can be installed as standalone stations, as attachments to existing fountains, or as models that come with a drinking fountain. Many of these bottle filling stations include a digital display showing the number of disposable plastic bottles saved from landfills. Water chilling is another feature that makes modern fountains attractive to users. Chilling is typically available for indoor units where they can be connected to an electrical supply. Some drinking water fountains have built-in chillers, but existing non-refrigerated fountains can also be retrofitted with remote chillers. Alternatively, ice-chilled models or drinking fountains equipped with solar power systems can be used in areas that lack access to a power supply. Most fountains can dispense up to 25 liters of chilled water per hour, but in high-traffic areas, a fountain should be able to dispense at least 30 liters of chilled water per hour.