Drinking Fountains and COVID-19

Guidance for the use of contactless water bottle refill stations

The touch-free indoor bottle station is as safe as it possible to get when it comes to shared facilities.

The automatic, no-touch operation means that refill units, such as the Eco-UV Genie series, can be used without any need to physically handle the machine. Bottles – or other receptacles – are placed within a spacious alcove, which users should be able to navigate without making any contact with the surface area. The sensor releases water and ceases flow without any user interaction. And there is never any need at all for any one to touch the faucet.

All of this means that this style of drinking fountain can be accessed by hundreds of people a day without acting as a potential contagion point, or posing any threat to the health of users.

The main safety precautions users and owners should follow are:

• To maintain social distancing, in line with the latest government guidelines when waiting to access the bottle filler.
• When the unit is situated in a public area, all users are advised to wear face coverings to prevent contamination through respiration. And avoid touching the dispenser.
• The organisation responsible for the water cooler should maintain a regular cleaning regime. The person cleaning and maintaining the dispenser should wear a face mask to avoid any potential risk of contamination.

The World Health Organisation lists contact as the primary way of contracting the virus. The use of hand sanitisers, face protectors and touch-free operation allows users to enjoy essential facilities without unnecessary exposure.

Guidance for the use of outdoor drinking fountains

Prior to the emergence of COVID-19, there was an incredible surge in the uptake of public drinking fountains. Since the advent of the pandemic, these have remained largely unused. And yet, a recent statement by more than 100 scientists, confirms that refilling drinks bottles at public facilities poses no greater risk than purchasing drinks in disposable plastic bottles. In both instances, sensible precautions need to be taken. But there is no need to avoid the use of public bottle fillers.

In order to take advantage of Wras approved, public refill points, users are advised to:

• Be aware of other users and maintain social distancing according to government guidelines while waiting to access the drinking fountain.
• Use hand sanitiser before accessing the bottle filler.
• When dispensing, if the unit is not an auto-sense machine and no hand sanitiser is available, users should operate the device with their elbow or knee, where possible.
• Users should allow the water to flow for about 10 seconds before placing their receptacle beneath, to ensure that fresh water is dispensed.
• All bottle fillers have been designed with a dispensing area large enough to be able to refill without touching the mouth of a standard drinks bottle against the machine. It’s particularly important that users do not touch the mouth of their bottle against any part of the bottle filler. And to make sure that lids or nozzles are not touched by the hand that has operated the machine until hand sanitiser has been reapplied.
• Users should clean their hands again once they have refilled their drinks bottle.
• The organisation responsible for the dispenser should maintain a regular cleaning regime. The person cleaning and maintaining the dispenser should wear face mask to avoid any potential risk of contamination.
• Lastly, users should take pains not to cough or sneeze upon the water dispenser. This is as much a common courtesy as it is a precaution against spreading Covid-19.

Common sense is at the heart of these guidelines. If all necessary precautions are taken, water dispensers pose minimal risk of Covid-19 contagion.

Hands-free conversion for push activation bottle fillers

For those still concerned about the use of push button activation public bottle fillers, there is also the potential of retro-fitting a for Elkay and Halsey Taylor models. Designed by MIW and manufactured in the UK, the push activation system (PAS) replaces the existing drainage plate with a compressible refill platform, allowing users to access water by simply placing their bottle beneath the tap and pressing downwards. Water is delivered without users needing to touch any part of the refill point. But because drainage is incorporated into the design, there is no other change to the functionality of the unit. And the existing push button remains active for anyone who wishes to use it.

How to safely clean drinking fountains

All water coolers and dispensers need to be cleaned regularly to maintain high levels of hygiene. For general cleaning, adhere to the following guidelines.

For stainless-steel, glass, chrome, plastic, powder-coated or polyvinyl surfaces:

Use an ordinary, mild antibacterial detergent and a soft cloth. Wipe the surface and towel dry.
Steel soap pads and harsh abrasive cleaners should not be used, as they will eventually harm the integrity of the units.

For composite surfaces: Use a soft sponge or cloth with water or non-abrasive foam cleaner. Wipe the surface and towel dry.

Mild abrasives such as liquid automotive cleaning compound or baking soda paste will remove simple scratches and stains. Harsh abrasive cleaners should not be used.

For electronic displays and sensors: Wipe with a soft and dry cloth; preferably microfiber. If necessary, lightly mist with deionized water and wipe dry.