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Bristol Water

Bristol Water

In 2022 Bristol Water approached MIW Water Cooler Experts for advice on their existing refill project. The water authority was looking to reduce the waste plastic drinks bottles produced in Bristol and the surrounds. As a trusted Refill partner with a proven track record of working with UK water authorities, Bristol Water asked MIW for advice on rectifying the problem.

The Brief

Bristol Water had nine existing outdoor refill points. MIW would be required to:

  • Provide advice on the safe removal and replacement of outdated bottle fillers within a fixed timescale.
  • Assist with the identification of suitable water bottle refill points. These new outdoor water bottle fillers would need to be WRAS approved to ensure adherence with the water authority’s strict health and safety guidelines. They would also need to be wheelchair accessible, easy to use, and provide year-round functionality. As the previous refill points had been subject to vandalism, the new units must also be vandal resistant.
  • Once the best equipment had been identified, MIW would be required to source and customise the bottle fillers, adding additional freeze protection and hands-free operation, before finishing each unit with bespoke paintwork and branding.
  • MIW would then liaise with the Bristol Water Project Management to assist on installation advice.
  • Post-installation, MIW would provide ongoing servicing, maintenance and periodic unit replacement under a turnkey agreement.

The Process

For this project, it was vital that MIW should find a bottle filler that exactly met the Bristol Water’s requirements.  Outdoor rated and created from marine-grade stainless steel, with the capability of rapidly serving a high volume of users, the Halsey Taylor 4400BF ticked all of Bristol Water’s boxes.

Like almost all of the existing Halsey Taylor range, the unit is WRAS approved, adhering to the highest health and safety standards, as set out by the UK’s government and water authorities. The sleek exterior is sturdy and durable, as well as being vandal resistant, with no external moving parts and security screwed casing. Designed to accommodate wheelchair users, the unit is extremely easy to use. And for enhanced functionality, MIW customised the bottle filler with the company’s patented hands-free conversion kit, ensuring that the refill points remain safe and accessible throughout the pandemic and the probable extended period of social distancing.

Although the Halsey Taylor 4400BF is designed for outdoor use, Bristol Water wanted to ensure that the bottle fillers remained active throughout the year. So, MIW fitted additional freeze protection prior to installation. The team also hand finished every unit with a design agreed upon in collaboration with Refil.org.uk, and Bristol Water branding, using specific RAL numbered paint, as well as powder coating and a lacquered finish for additional weather protection.

Throughout this project, MIW worked closely with Bristol Water’s Project Management Team and Technical Division, as well as Refill.org.uk, to ensure a full understanding of the organisation’s requirements. As well as any technical considerations that may influence the installations.

THE COMPLETED PROJECT

MIW has already worked with a large number of UK water authorities on refill projects, including Thames Water, Scottish Water, Guernsey Water and South West Water. But this was the first largescale project that involved the removal of existing drinking fountains. The MIW team had to consider not only which equipment would best answer the client’s requirements, but whether the existing sites were adequate, if the equipment would be better placed elsewhere, and how this could be done with minimum disruption and without excessive cost.

MW sourced, customised and installed all nine of Bristol Water’s new public water bottle refill stations on schedule and to budget. With the last unit expected to be put in place by mid-2022. MIW will continue to provide a regular service and maintenance programme for the bottle fillers in the coming years.

Bristol Water is currently considering the further enhancement of their bottle filler network, with plans to work with MIW on the installation of additional units in the future.

 

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