Author: Phillipa Clow

The WHA explains how water dispensers can be used to lower your water use

Understanding the concept of a water footprint and how it applies to your business is an important tool in improving sustainability and meeting corporate social responsibility targets.  It can also help to control costs.

The concept of the water footprint was created to quantify water use based on consumption. This can be applied to individuals, families, cities, businesses, and indeed any process that requires water. This measurement can be made in a number of ways and includes not just water directly used by an individual but every drop of water used to support their way of life. For example, the water required to generate electricity in power stations makes up the majority of the water every person “uses” every day. Food production is also a huge consumer of water – for example, a kilogram of coffee beans takes 21,000 litres to grow, which works out to 140 litres for every cup. Meanwhile, the same amount of beef takes an astonishing 60,000 litres to produce.

However, it is the water we consume either through drinking or in our food which is most important. We need it to stay healthy, and staying well hydrated can improve alertness, short term memory as well as helping to maintain good physical health.

It’s so important, especially as providing access to drinking water is a legal obligation for many businesses and organisations.

Water dispensers offer an efficient solution, not just providing drinking water but also helping to manage and reduce an organisation’s water footprint.

Dispensers are designed for efficient water distribution. Users fill their cups or bottles with just the right amount of water they need, minimising waste and eliminating the need for offering bottled water in vending machines or canteens. This also helps to reduce single use plastic, along with the associated costs, both financial and environmental, of disposing of it.

Furthermore, many modern water dispensing systems can monitor and collect data about how they’re being used. This allows businesses to track patterns of water use, helping to understand when and where water is needed most.

By installing water dispensers, staff will be able to benefit from the many positive effects of good hydration, including improved wellbeing and increased productivity.  Meanwhile businesses will benefit from the overall reduction in the aggregate water footprint afforded by the ability to precisely control how much is used.

“Being mindful of water use and finding ways to reduce waste are important ways of improving the environmental sustainability of a business,” says Phillipa Atkinson-Clow, general manager of the WHA. “Water dispensers are a simple way to offer drinking water where it’s needed, while also helping to reduce the overall water footprint.”

Sourcing water dispensers from WHA members is a simple way to guarantee top levels of quality and safety. The WHA provides guidance, training and standards for the industry by ensuring that all members supplying water dispensers undergo annual audits and regular industry specific training ensuring the quality and sustainability of the services they provide.

 

 

Figures underline WHA members’ commitment to sustainability

The UK water dispense industry beat its pre-covid performance in 2022, according to the latest UK Water Dispense Market report from Zenith Global.  The report was presented at the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) conference in March 2023.

The total number of water dispensers installed in 2022 passed 800,000 for the first time.  46% were  mains-fed water dispensers.  Bottled water dispensers now account for 43%, having been overtaken by mains-fed in 2021. Multi-functional integrated tap systems make up the remaining 11%. The increased use of refillable water bottles is helping to reduce the amount of single use plastic waste, and can significantly improve the carbon footprint of organisations that encourage their use.

Despite severe cost and wage inflation combined with the end of covid restrictions and favourable summer weather, the industry’s revenue rose only marginally to £177 million. “Competition in the sector remains intense and many people have not returned to full-time office working,” commented Zenith Global Chairman Richard Hall, who presented the findings to the conference.  “That is a key factor, since 80% of bottled water and mains-fed dispensers are installed in workplaces.”

Here are some of the other key findings presented::

• The average annual bottled water throughput per dispenser was 790 litres.
• Savings on plastic use by provision of returnable and refillable bottles.
• The number of integrated tap systems has grown 32% in the past 5 years.
• Mains-fed dispensers for homes was the fastest growing segment in 2022.

“The growth in the market underlines the demand for access to drinking water,” says Jon Wicks, chair of the WHA. “Our members are fully committed to a sustainable industry, so the focus on returnable, refillable bottles is very pleasing.

“Purchasing systems from WHA members guarantees that you’re offering them the most suitable product for your needs, thanks to the industry specific training and audits they take to ensure they are providing the best level of service and expertise.”

Zenith Global forecasts continuing moderate and steady growth by most measures over the coming five years to 2027, taking the total number of water dispensers up to 840,000.