What Facilities Managers Should Look for in an Office Water Dispenser

As a facilities manager, you’re responsible for ensuring the buildings under your purview operate efficiently, safely, and appropriately. You have many different things to oversee and manage, from electrical systems to cleaning equipment and processes. However, it’s important not to overlook systems that may seem less important at first glance. 

For example, an office water dispenser system may not seem as critical to install and maintain as a reliable security system. However, giving b employees access to clean, filtered water is an important way to secure their health and satisfaction. Here are some of the top things facilities managers should look for when selecting an office water dispenser. 

Water Quality

If you’re going to invest in an office drinking water system, it’s wise to ensure the system you choose offers high-quality water. A multi-stage filtration system can remove contaminants so employees have access to clean, safe drinking water. 

Some water filtration systems are so effective that they can remove up to 99.9% of contaminants such as microplastics, lead, and PFAS (otherwise known as “forever chemicals”). Clean water also tends to be tastier than contaminated water. This means that employees are more likely to stay well-hydrated and healthy when they have access to purified water at work. 

Price

As a facilities manager, you likely have a budget limit you must stay within while taking care of your various duties. Therefore, it’s important to look for an office water dispenser that’s priced reasonably. Don’t forget to consider maintenance needs in the total estimated cost. For example, purchasing the water dispenser is just one part of the total price tag. You also need to consider the cost of installation, replacement jugs (if you’re dealing with a replaceable water jug system), and maintenance costs. 

Many facilities managers are choosing to switch to bottleless water systems because they offer cost savings in the long run. These systems may cost more to install initially, but they don’t require regular water jug purchase and delivery costs. Instead, they utilize the building’s existing water lines to deliver an endless supply of crisp, purified water. Bottleless water systems typically require less maintenance and often only need a filter change once or twice per year. 

Size and Capacity

Before selecting an office water dispenser, make sure it’s big enough to meet the needs of the employees using it. With water jug systems, this can be hard to do. If you overestimate how much water your employees will use, you’ll end up with a lot of extra jugs you have to store somewhere. If you underestimate how much water workers will go through, you could end up running out of water jugs before you get replacements. This could leave workers without access to a clean and reliable water source. 

If you invest in a bottleless water dispenser, you don’t need to worry about running out of water or storing excess water jugs. These systems offer water on demand, meaning there will always be enough water for workers to stay hydrated without worrying about storing the excess. Bottleless water dispensers are also reasonably sized and won’t take up excessive office space. 

Temperature Control

Temperature makes a huge impact on the palatability of water. When people are thirsty, they generally don’t want to gulp room-temperature water. Therefore, it’s wise to look for a dispenser that keeps water crisp and cold. 

Bottleless water dispensers are a great option because they’re designed to maintain consistent temperatures. Water jug systems also offer chilled water, but it can take up to three hours for the system to initially make the water cold. Each time the water jug is changed, it may take time for the system to cool the reservoir of water once again. 

Ease of Use and Maintenance

Traditional office water dispensers require a lot of maintenance. Each time a jug of water is depleted, it must be replaced with a new water jug. This can be a challenging task, since some water jugs can weigh more than 40 pounds when full. Additionally, you have to accurately estimate how much water your office will go through so you know when to order replacement water jugs.

With a bottleless water dispenser system, you don’t have to worry about changing out empty water jugs because there are no water jugs. There’s no need to reorder anything to ensure your system continues to dispense water. Bottleless systems are remarkably easy to use and maintain. Most only require a filter change once or twice per year. If you have hard water, you may need to change your filter more frequently. 

Environmental Friendliness

It’s no secret that plastic is incredibly harmful to the environment. Plastic pollution, such as water dispenser jugs and single-use plastic water bottles, can threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. Plastic contains microplastics that are toxic when consumed and can leach into soil when thrown into a landfill. For this reason alone, facilities managers should think twice before purchasing traditional water jug dispenser systems for the office. 

Bottleless office water dispensers are far superior in terms of environmental friendliness. They don’t involve reusable or single-use plastic bottles. Instead, their water supply comes directly from the building’s internal water lines. This minimizes waste and can help you reach your facility’s sustainability goals. 

Install a Bottleless Water System in Your Office Building

If you’re a facilities manager looking for an office water dispenser, keep the above considerations in mind. There are many different water dispensers out there. However, installing a bottleless water system in your office building is a wise choice that can offer a wide variety of practical benefits.