LIFE IN A BOTTLE OF WATER
Bottled water can easily be delivered either to a workplace or a residential home for people who have their own water coolers. Still or sparkling water can be delivered to the office or home as and when required. The success of commercial water cooler services along with the booming sales of bottled water has prompted manufacturers to look at water delivery as an excellent business.
Studies show that the water delivery services are split roughly 50-50 between commercial and home use in the United States and Canada, but residential customers in the UK amount to only 1%.
The water used in the water delivery services usually undergoes reverse osmosis treatment to separate water molecules from impurities. This leaves behind only hydrogen and oxygen in free flowing spring or municipal water. This water is then filtered, sanitized, ozonated, and is finally bottled. Distilled water is one of the purest forms of water that is used for delivery services. The water is run through a vapor compression process during distillation. This allows the water to be first micron and carbon filtered, then softened, then boiled to vapor and then again re-condensed. This results in water so pure that it is even recommended for clinical and medical use. Distilled water usually contains absolutely no minerals.
Water cooler services are provided by a number of companies. The consumer just needs to log in to the website and place an order for the service. However, these companies usually provide service only with a particular brand of water. Some companies provide more than water products coupled with delivery services. They provide water delivery for home or office and all the customer has to do is place the order through their website. It is suggested to buy brands with a known protected source and companies that have readily available testing and treatment information to show the high drinking water quality.
One major disadvantage with bottled water coolers is the maintenance. In the event the water cooler is not in regular use, or during summer months when the temperatures are higher, the clear fresh taste of bottled water might be difficult to achieve. Proper care of the bottled water and of the dispensers has to be a priority.
It is advised to store the full bottles at a constant temperature and, if possible, in a cool area. This discourages the expansion and contraction of the bottles that can draw microscopic material into the bottles. This also helps in preventing the growth of algae. The person changing the bottle must wash the hands and wipe the top and neck of the new bottle with a clean sterile cloth.
Bottled water dispensers must be cleaned once every 3 months by removing the empty water bottle from your water cooler and adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to the water reservoir. Add sufficient cold water from the tap to let the bleach fill the tubing between the reservoir and tap and let the bleach solution stand for 5-10 minutes. A small brush cloth or sponge can be used to clean the reservoir. Add several cups of fresh bottled water to flush out the bleach completely.