Chilled drinking water dispensers are located throughout the University's buildings for the use of students and staff however, the provision of these units has been shown to be detrimental to the environment, in addition provision has become unwieldy, there is confusion around their need, acquisition and where they are located.
The objective of this policy is to clarify the requirements regarding the provision of drinking water to University buildings, and where practicable, eliminate the use of free-standing bottle coolers and external rental equipment.
The Health and Safety Executive document, 'Welfare at work - Guidance for employers on welfare provisions' states that:
The law requires that [employers] provide drinking water and ensure that:
- it is free from contamination and is preferably from the public water supply - bottled water dispensers are acceptable as a secondary supply;
- it is easily accessible by all employees;
- there are adequate supplies taking into consideration the temperature of the working environment and types of work activity;
- cups or a drinking fountain are provided.
The University provides an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water to employees and students by making sure that:
- all pipe-fed water supplies are to drinking water standard
- all pipe-fed water supplies are either connected to a water main, or to a storage cistern that complies with the requirements of The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
- there is a supply of wholesome drinking water available in a convenient location
It is recognised that drinking water can be an emotive subject and that individual taste plays a significant part in the perception of whether water is of drinking quality.
The Department of Campus Infrastructure regularly monitor and inspect all water storage facilities across the estate and analyse localised water quality whenever requested. This is to establish that water supplied throughout the University estate is potable and meets statutory requirements for drinking water.
The Standard Drinking Water Analysis carried out by UKAS Accredited Laboratories for the University of Bath:
Parameter | Unit of measure | Regulatory limit |
---|---|---|
Colony Microbial Counts after two and three days | cfu/l (colony forming units per litre) | No Limit |
Clostridium Perfringens (Confirmed) | cfu/100ml | 0 |
Total Coliforms | cfu/100ml | 0 |
E. Coli | cfu/100ml | 0 |
Conductivity | µS/cm (microsiemens per centimetre) at 20ºC | 2,500 |
Hydrogen ion (pH) | pH Value | 6.5 to 9.5 |
Turbidity (Distribution) | NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) | 4 |
Ammonium | mg/l (milligrams per litre) | 0.5 |
Nitrite | mg/l | 0.5 |
Nitrate | mg/l | 50 |
Aluminium | µg/l | 200 |
Iron | µg/l | 200 |
Manganese | µg/l | 50 |
Odour | Dil. No | 0 |
Taste | Dil. No | No limit |
Colour | mg/l Pt/Co (Platinum/Cobalt scale) | 20 |
Drinking-water policy
- The use of free-standing bottled water coolers should be avoided within the University Estates (free-standing bottled coolers should only be considered where there is no potable water supply).
- Students, staff and visitors should draw off drinking water from identified drinking water taps.
- Drinking water points should be provided at convenient locations that are easily accessible to all and clearly identified as 'Drinking Water Stations' (direct plumbed systems fitted with a swan neck drinking water outlet to allow for the filling of larger sports-style drinks bottles).
- In exceptional circumstances, plumbed-in water coolers may be installed (only approved units may be installed under the supervision of the Department of Campus Infrastructure; all purchase, installation, and running costs will be met by the faculty or department in which they are installed).
- A scheduled water quality testing regime should be implemented at all drinking water stations.
Guidance notes
Whilst the supply of water at all cold water outlets is to drinking water standard, there are some supply points that should not be used for drinking purposes. This is because of the risk of contamination of the tap due to activities carried out in a particular location.
Do not drink from taps located in laboratories, workshops or sanitary facilities.
Bottled water coolers
There are adverse health, safety, environmental and financial issues allied to the use of freestanding bottled water coolers:
- the bottles are heavy when full and require lifting and manipulating in order to fit into the dispensers – this presents an avoidable risk of manual handling injury
- there are health issues related to bacteria incubating in the air space created as the water level reduces and potentially contaminated air enters the void. Bacteria can also incubate in the bottles of water if not stored properly or if the dispenser is not sited properly and is subject to low usage
- there is an avoidable environmental impact, both locally and nationally, because of the need for regular deliveries adding to the University’s carbon footprint
- the recurring requirement for the provision of bottled water for dispensers represents an avoidable expense across the University
Where the water quality is shown not to meet the statutory requirements for drinking water, or a potable cold water supply is not available, an alternative supply would need to be provided (workplace health, safety and welfare regulations advise that bottled water dispensers are acceptable as a secondary supply).
Direct plumbed drinking water facilities
Where the water quality is shown to meet the statutory requirements for drinking water, a direct plumbed system, with a swan neck drinking water outlet, to allow for the filling of larger sports-style drinks bottles, can be installed in locations that are easily accessible to all students, staff and visitors.
Plumbed-in water coolers
Some departments may consider that there are exceptional circumstances which mean they require a supply of chilled water. Where this is the case then a plumbed-in chilled water dispenser may be requested.
Applications would be made to the Department of Campus Infrastructure. Where exceptional circumstances are agreed, units should be sourced and managed through the Department of Campus Infrastructure. All costs, including purchase, installation, maintenance, and hygiene cleans of plumbed-in chilled water dispensers should be met by the department in which they are installed.