Most organisations think of water in simple terms: drinking, handwashing and cleaning. In reality, water underpins far more workplace functions than we often recognise

In the workplace, water supports hydration, sanitation and heating and cooling systems. In industrial and commercial settings, it may also be used for manufacturing processes, equipment cleaning, or dust suppression. Depending on the industry, business size and operational needs, water use often extends far beyond what is immediately visible, influencing both environmental impact and operational costs.

Because water systems are interconnected, a single point of contamination can impact multiple areas within a building. For this reason, effective water management must be proactive rather than reactive. As dealers, you are well positioned to advise customers on improving their water hygiene, particularly in the unseen areas that often carry the greatest risk and the most significant consequences if neglected.

What Does Water Hygiene Mean?

Water hygiene is the range of practices and controls designed to ensure that water remains safe, clean and fit for purpose. This includes monitoring water temperatures, preventing stagnation, regularly flushing outlets, cleaning and descaling systems, carrying out risk assessments and maintaining accurate documentation, testing for harmful bacteria, and properly maintaining storage tanks and pipework. These measures are essential for protecting workplace health, as well as supporting environmental objectives. Well-maintained water systems reduce wastage, leaks, energy inefficiencies and avoid harmful build-up of toxins and pollutants.

When water hygiene is neglected, it can result in unpleasant odours, scale build-up, reduced system efficiency and, in more serious cases, significant health risks. Employers have both a legal and ethical duty of care to ensure that workplace water systems do not pose a threat to employees, visitors or contractors.

Beyond the Kitchen and Bathroom: Where Water Might Be Used at Work

When people think about workplace water, they often focus on sinks and taps, but water systems go beyond kitchens and washrooms. Water can also be found in drinking fountains and bottle-filling stations, coffee machines, water dispensers and ice machines, as well as showers and changing facilities. It plays a role in air conditioning units, cooling towers, boilers and hot water systems, and is present in irrigation systems, decorative water features and various types of manufacturing or cleaning equipment. Stagnant or poorly maintained systems in any of these areas can create ideal conditions for bacteria such as Legionella. Helping customers identify every water source within a building is the essential first step in effective water hygiene management, enabling dealers to recommend the most appropriate products and solutions.

Products to Improve Water Use and Hygiene

Modern workplaces should have access to a range of solutions that improve both water efficiency and hygiene standards. However, customers may not be aware of some products, or that they can be used outside the bathroom or kitchen. The following five product categories play a key role in maintaining safe, efficient water systems across an entire building – while also delivering measurable return on investment.

Point-of-Use Filtration Systems
Installed at drinking stations, coffee machines or process outlets, point-of-use filters improve water quality by reducing contaminants, sediment and scale. This not only protects employee health and enhances taste but also extends the lifespan of appliances and reduces maintenance costs.

Digital Temperature Monitoring Systems
Remote monitoring technology tracks hot and cold water temperatures across a building to ensure they remain within safe parameters. Alerts can flag potential risks before they escalate.

Cooling Tower and HVAC Water Treatment Solutions
Air conditioning systems and cooling towers can harbour bacteria if untreated. Water treatment products and monitoring controls help maintain safe chemical balance and system cleanliness.

Anti-Stagnation Flow Devices
These devices are installed on taps, showerheads, or rarely used outlets to ensure a continuous or periodic flow of water, even in low-traffic areas. By preventing water from sitting idle, they dramatically reduce the risk of bacterial growth, including Legionella.

UV Water Sterilisation Units
UV sterilisation systems treat water at key points in a building, neutralising bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms before the water reaches outlets. They are particularly effective for showers, cooling towers, and process water systems.

We often only consider the water we can see, but organisations that neglect water hygiene risk significant problems down the line. By identifying all water usage points, understanding the associated risks, and implementing appropriate controls and products, organisations can safeguard both their people and their operations.