2 minute read
Drinking water solutions for educational facilities
Access to clean, healthy water with a sustainable delivery method has never been more important than it is today. Educational facility designers, administrators, and maintenance personnel are all tasked with understanding the challenges and providing access to the best solutions in all areas of the building for students and staff.
From bottle filling stations to water coolers and fountains, a filtered and vandal-resistant drinking product solution provides access to healthy hydration and eliminates plastic bottle waste. Personal, refillable water bottles are now commonplace so by providing access to a convenient source of filtered water from a hygienic source we can promote greater levels of hydration which is proven to promote good health and greater performance. Hands-free water delivery with anti-microbial surfaces can prevent the spread of germs and encourage increased usage. NSFcertified, lead filtration options must be considered in any facility with older and potentially dangerous piping systems. The dangers of lead in schools are widely publicized, water delivery is an important component in any mitigation strategy.
By eliminating or banning nonrefillable plastic water bottles we can achieve a higher level of sustainability and greatly reduce facility maintenance costs associated with garbage and recycling efforts. Additionally, bottle filling stations equipped with bottle counters can foster a culture of conservation and environmental awareness between students and staff alike.
Properly installed drinking water stations provide accessible solutions throughout any facility. Provincial building codes outline these requirements. Coolers and bottle fillers with bi-level functionality and flexible installation options can meet both regulatory requirements and allow for easy install and maintenance.
Heavy duty materials and tamper-resistant features are important to consider to defend against daily abuse. Bubblers and push buttons tend to be the most commonly vandalized components so it is important to review and select the right product for each location.
Functionality and location are key to determining the correct product selection. Staff areas may require different aesthetics and features than products destined for gym, pool, locker room, or hallway locations.
Whether new construction or retro-fit, plumbing and electrical infrastructure needs to be considered when placing drinking water solutions. A properly planned and designed installation makes for a superior user experience and can reduce potential maintenance issues over the long term.
Quick, clean, and green are the best adjectives to consider when determining your facilities’ drinking water requirements. Built for busy areas throughout the entire school campus, trusted drinking solutions give students and staff access to cleaner, healthier water.
For more information contact Jason Boyd, LEED AP, Dobbin Sales Ltd., Canadian master distributor for Elkay, at jboyd@dobbinsales. com or 905-264-6781. n
A RoofStar Guarantee Is Simply Worry-Free. But some people never learn.
