Hydration and sustainability. Two words that are a huge part of the zeitgeist right now. Wherever you look, there is a focus on not only getting the right amount of water every day[1] (15.5 cups for men, and 11.5 cups for women), but getting it without doing harm to the environment. With the focus being placed firmly on refillable bottles instead of single-use bottled water, water bottle filling stations are ideally suited to this goal.
The easiest way to describe one is a filtered water fountain that pours water from the top down, much like most modern refrigerators have at home. Trigger a sensor, press a button or push a flap and cool, refreshing water will be dispersed to fill a cup, mug, or reusable bottle. They are often paired with a traditional drinking fountain.
Bottle fill stations have come a long way. The concept of the water bottle filler station dates back to 1922[2] as a response to something called the “drinking water problem” in New York and other major urban areas. With 5-gallon bottled water jugs cluttering hallways and office buildings, primarily due to the poor quality of municipal drinking water, the creation of getting filtered water on tap at any time was a critical invention.
Fast-forward to today and you can now find bottle fill stations in a huge variety of different places. They’re tremendously popular in gyms and leisure centers, where patrons are drinking serious amounts of water due to physical activity and hydration needs. Hydration stations (including outdoor water filling stations) can also be seen all over
Let’s start with the why, and by far one of the biggest reasons bottle fill stations have become so sought after by employers, municipalities, educators and more. It’s sustainability.
Being environmentally-conscious is top of mind now for corporations and consumers and has been for some time. Every year new data comes out showing the plastic waste that’s being generated by the bottled water industry. Some 80% of empty plastic water bottles end up in landfills, far more than anyone thinks is reasonable, and it takes up to 1,000 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose[3].
The overwhelming response has been a push to refillable bottles and sustainable water solutions. (It’s also the reason more people turn to small water bottles, and even mini water bottles, as they’re conscious of their plastic use). Consumers across the globe are ready to act, and the stats are undeniable[4]
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Wall-Mounted & Refrigerated - Bottle Only: Perhaps the most common type of water bottle filling station available, this is an ideal way to get your facility up and running with this highly popular way to hydrate. Complete with built-in sensors (sanitation is paramount), a filtration system, and quick fill rate, this is perfect for schools, gyms, airports and hotels; especially the recessed models that give a space-saving low profile, ideal for busy and crowded hallways.
Pedestal Stations - Bottle, Drinking & Pet Fountain: The ultimate filtered water source, with this option you provide not only a bottle fill station and a drinking fountain, but also an additional third fountain just for pets that features slow drainage for easy drinking. It’s also a great way to fill up dog bowls. A great option for dog parks, public parks, and other pet-friendly environments. If your office is pet friendly, this is just what you need.
Bottle fill stations are important but knowing which specific one to select can be a head-scratcher. And you may also need to retrofit current water fountains with bottle fill stations, which is yet another affordable option open to you. Talk to our friendly experts today for all the help and advice you’ll need about commercial water solutions, and we’ll guide you to the perfect bottle fill station.
[1] The Mayo Clinic [Link]
[2] Filtrine [Link]
[3] Healthy Human Life [Link]
[4] PR Newswire [Link]
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