Water
Maintaining safe hydration in 2021
After a year of significant upheaval, what is the 2021 outlook for water provision onsite and on the go and what new innovations will help the sector succeed?
M
illions of people are currently working from home as the COVID- 19 pandemic shows no signs of weakening, but there is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a vaccine currently being
rolled out across the country to the most vulnerable. The successful vaccine development, with more waiting in the wings, has
given rise to hope that we may be able to get back to normality, albeit a different one, in the not too distant future. With workers set to return to their offices, either fulltime or part-time, the
water sector needs to be prepared to supply good hydration to the workplace safely. Hygiene has been a key driver throughout 2020, and that is not likely to
change this year, so any innovation that allows contactless operation will surely be fully embraced. General manager of the Water-Dispenser and Hydration Association
Phillipa Atkinson-Clow says: “This year’s unprecedented circumstances have accelerated use of innovative products within the hydration industry.”
InnovatIon
These include use of UV-lights at the point of dispense, nano-silver coatings on water-feed pipes and bio-silver coatings on product casings to protect against micro-bacterial contamination. Water dispensers have been designed with both foot pedals and
proximity sensors to aid contactless operation and public use fountains are now available with ‘magic’ sensors to deliver water when a personal use bottle is placed under it, and to stop when taken away. H2O Direct marketing director Emma Redford also points to the growing
trend to bring reusable water bottles to the office, not only to reduce single use plastics, but also to reinforce virus control. “Many machines are now incorporating foot pedal operation or contactless control. New technology includes higher specification water
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coolers and water bottle refill stations, which enables users to re-fill their own bottles on the go ensuring hydration needs are met wherever you are including public spaces such as airports, shopping centres and stations. “High specification filtration is now an even more essential part of water
provision and with the ability to dispense water using technology new to the market, such as phone apps and other contactless devices, these newly adapted resources are the future in hydration.”
Homeworkers
But it’s not just those workers who are office-based that employers will need to consider. The WHA envisages a growth area –where employers will increasingly have to address the welfare of their employees whilst they work from home. The association draws attention to options for stylish and practical
countertop or floor-standing mains-fed or bottled water coolers with a delivery service direct to employees’ homes which can be accessed through WHA members. “They provide quality products, trusted engineers and the same high
standards as expected in offices – helping to bring back the ‘water cooler moment’ and that feeling of support to combat isolation,” added Phillipa Atkinson Clow.
ConClusIon
The unprecedented events of 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, has forced many industries to adapt to new circumstances, change working habits and to rethink how we interact with other people. This applies to vending and water services too, which must be delivered in
the safest and most hygienic way. For the hydration industry to thrive, it must find ways to adapt. The innovations mentioned above might not resolve every problem, but may go a long way to giving the industry a fighting chance.
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