Water authorities can seem mysterious to the public, who have little interaction other than a quarterly bill. So community bottle fillers and drinking fountains provided by water authorities can act as a public face for these large and influential organisations.
Hydration facilities shouldn’t just meet safety and hygiene standards, but should be easy to use and always accessible. At MIW Water Coolers we have worked hard to build a product range that meets these needs, including specialist products that we alone have manufactured.
What should water authorities look for in public drinking equipment?
Safety and hygiene
We are proud to work with WRAS-approved equipment only. This is not a legal obligation in the UK, but it is the only way to guarantee that water supply apparatus is fully compliant with all Government – and water authority – guidelines.
Many of the drinking fountains and bottle fillers we supply have hands-free operation. This can significantly reduce cross-contamination and enhance hygiene levels. Most units also come with a silver-ion antimicrobial coating to prevent bacteria from adhering to the surface of the equipment. Lead reduction and UV filtration are also available on some of the latest products, killing 99.99% of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli.
Ease of use and accessibility
The vast majority of the drinking equipment we supply is now wheelchair accessible, while the simple hands-free and push-button operation ensure that our products are easy to use for all.
Given the need for water bottle fillers and drinking fountains to be stationed outdoors in all weathers, we also offer a selection of innovative new water stations with built-in freeze protection. These are guaranteed for between 5 and 25 years. And if you are working in a particularly cold region, we can customise your equipment with additional freeze protection to ensure that it is useable all year round.
Customisation
MIW can take care of any aesthetic or branding requirements you might have for your hydration facilities. Customisation not only allows you to enhance the visual appeal of the equipment, but also ensure that your message is seen.
Security
Any unattended public-facing equipment needs to be installed with security in mind. That’s why we’ve worked with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to deliver water bottle refill points and drinking fountains with additional security features. These include fixed security access panels to stop suspect packages being hidden inside the equipment.
All MIW service engineers are also enhanced DBS vetted before appointment. We have an instilled code of accountability that every one of our team adheres to.
Above and beyond bottle fillers
It’s our commitment to quality and service that has seen MIW become a voice of trust in the industry. We provide a range of aftercare services, including full sanitation, maintenance, servicing and periodic upgrades. Whether you’re ordering a single unit or several hundred, we pledge to always ensure that you get the best product and service for your needs and budget. We can even help with publicity, should you be looking for a large-scale launch.
In the Victorian era, the UK was a pioneer when it came to eliminating typhoid in a few short years, thanks to drinking fountains. Today we have a whole new set of environmental issues that drinking fountains can help to remedy. The UK could easily become a pioneer once more. We have worked broadly with charities and have been a significant player in the water Refill movement. Now, we would like to help you play your part.
If you would like to discuss how MIW can assist your organisation with drinking fountains and refill points, please get in touch. Our friendly, knowledgeable team are always on hand to provide help and find the right solutions for you.