Workplace Water Safety Made Simple

Let’s be honest… when you think of workplace health and safety, water probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But here’s the thing unclean water systems can impact your team’s health, land you in legal trouble and cost a fortune in lawsuits and covering the inevitable sick days.

The UK’s workplace health and safety laws are pretty clear, The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 states that you must provide clean drinking water for everyone at work. It’s not a nice to have – it’s the law!

Whether your workplace has premium water taps,  hot water boilers for the office, or simply a commercial water dispenser each water solution needs proper attention to keep the bacteria at bay.

Legionella is one of the most dangerous water bacteria, which can be found in warm water between 20°C and 45°C, and if you breathe in water droplets containing it, you could end up with Legionnaires’ disease – a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Under the UK drinking water regulations, every workplace needs a legionella risk assessment. Yes, even small offices with just a few taps and water coolers.

Then there’s Biofilm which is an invisible slime layer on the water made up of microorganisms, such as bacteria, which can lead to blockages and corrosion which can lead to the water systems becoming ineffective and unsafe. You’ll find it lurking in water cooler tanks, spouts that don’t get cleaned properly, taps that rarely get used, and any plumbing that sits around getting warm.

If your building’s getting on a bit, you might also be dealing with contamination from old pipes. Lead pipes can leach nasty metals into your water, rusty pipework drops debris into your drinking water, and dodgy connections can let contaminated water back into the system. It’s not exactly what you want flowing out when someone goes to fill their coffee mug.

Stale standing water is another nightmare waiting to happen. Water that just sits around doing nothing but going stagnant becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. This is especially bad in buildings that close for holidays or other extended amounts of time, remote taps nobody uses, or oversized water supply systems that don’t get enough turnover.

Your water coolers and dispensers need attention more often than you might think. Although the Connect Vending service team conduct regular maintenance visits, including filter changes every 3-6 months (depending on usage), you should still be wiping down the surface and drip trays daily. Connect Vending’s approach means businesses don’t have to worry about tracking filter schedules or sourcing the right replacement parts. Our engineers handle the technical side, including proper disposal of used filters and ensuring new ones are correctly installed as part of our standard service and maintenance plan.

Regular water quality testing isn’t optional… it’s essential. By law you need to regularly get your water systems tested for bacteria. Connect Vending takes this responsibility seriously, conducting routine water quality assessments and maintaining detailed records for compliance purposes. Our proactive monitoring means potential issues are identified and resolved before they become health risks, keeping your workplace safe and meeting all regulatory requirements.

Getting the right kit makes all the difference. Make sure any water equipment meets British Standards. Our expert team of engineers keep this in check, so you don’t have to. We only install and maintain equipment that exceeds industry standards, using premium filtration systems designed for commercial environments. When issues arise, our 4-hour response guarantee ensures minimal disruption to your water supply.

Don’t let water safety become a costly oversight. From Legionella risks to compliance requirements, the consequences of neglecting your water systems can be. Connect Vending eliminates these worries with our comprehensive approach: professional maintenance, timely filter changes, proactive testing, and our industry-leading 4-hour emergency response guarantee.

While you focus on running your business, we’ll ensure your water systems stay safe, compliant, and reliable. Ready to protect your workplace and your people? Contact Connect Vending today for a free water consultation.