Over the past several years, the world in which we live has transformed to a more sustainable, eco-friendly world. The items we buy, the technology we use, the overall way we live our lives and teach our children have all taken on new forms. Even the construction of buildings and homes and the materials used during this process are significantly more sustainable today. There are so many areas we face each day that can help lead to a cleaner, more environmentally friendly world and one in particular that every faces each day. Water.
Yes, the water we drink and how we get it is a major area that building contractors, owners, managers, and tenants should all be aware of as we continue down the road to sustainability. At home, at the office, and in public, a world once dominated by bottled water is now shifting to filtered water systems. And why not? Traditional bottled water systems are more expensive, contribute heavily to landfills, heavy fuel consumption for delivery, and require heavy plastic bottles that take up a lot of space and tie up loading docks. And to top it off, bottled water systems typically provide unsanitary water from dispensing systems that are seldom cleaned or sanitized.
So what's changed? Filtered water systems offer a more economical approach to providing clean, purified water. No more water bottles - tap water is purified using a filtration system that creates premium quality drinking water and dispensed through a water cooler or other type of dispensing faucet. When it comes to the water cooler, it is important to understand that not all water coolers are the same. There are several systems on the market that offer no sanitary benefits. When deciding on a new filtration system, consider the benefits provided from new technology that is available such as ultraviolet (UV) light in the water holding tank and antimicrobial surface coatings on touch points to prohibit bacteria growth. It should also include recessed faucets to prevent users from having their drinking containers touch the dispensing nozzles.
With all these changes it is important for those that are involved in space design, construction, property management and ultimately end-users to be aware of specific plumbing and building codes, technology, processes and possible safety concerns before implementing a bottle-less water solution.
Not only is water technology enabling us to become more environmentally friendly, but it also enables us to reduce costs, save space and provide more sanitary drinking water by taking advantage of existing water distribution infrastructure and adding more efficient, modern technology and plumbing skills.
Michael Nosek is the senior director, sales at Atlas Watersystems, Inc., Waltham, Mass.