As water is essential to household members at home, it is also critical to workers’ efficiency and survival at workplace. Whether small, medium or large business, making water available in the restroom, workspace and kitchen (in offices where it is provided) remains part of facility managers’ strategic roles. To give individuals opportunity of having refined water at room temperature water dispenser was invented by Halsey Willard Taylor and Luther haws in 1906. Since then, the innovation has been embraced and still being used at residential and industrial places throughout the world.
At home, water dispensers provide hot or cold drinkable water for domestic use. In the workplace, the water dispenser also does the same but for more people in comparison to usage in the home. They help keep employees hydrated which enhances productivity at the workplace. For larger organisations, bottles are changed on average once in two days; for smaller organisations, every week. This technology has evolved into smaller, lighter units with lots of technology, including purification processes and a heating element to provide hot water along with chilled water. Water dispensers are grouped into two types: Bottle-less and Bottled. In Nigeria, the bottled type is being used mostly.
The dangerous bacteria
There is no doubt the technology is benefiting everyone. However, there is a need to pay special attention to its maintenance. This becomes imperative due to various technical and medical issues associated with it. On medical level, bacteria of public health importance have recently been found in drinking water from water dispenser machines in Ibadan’s homes and offices in Victoria Island. These bacteria include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Chryseomonas luteola, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter sp., Cedecea sp., Citrobacter sp., Salmonella sp., Chromobacter violaceum, Providencia rettgeri, and Escherichia coli. They are all associated with different infections harmful to people, which manifest late in human body. For instance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa leads to pneumonia, septic shock, skin and soft tissue. P. fluorescens affects patients with compromised immune systems especially on cancer treatment. A recent study has shown that the presence of Enterobacter cloacae B29 leads to obesity. Citrobacter sp causes infant meningitis and sepsis.
How the bacteria enter the dispenser
These bacteria penetrate into the dispenser due to improper cleaning, servicing and a worker with poor personal hygiene. Infrequent replacement of bottles can also cause water contamination when water is left for too long before it is dispensed. These issues can only be solved when facility personnel created the right plans and procedures guiding the use and maintenance of it. Here are the two basic approaches for proper maintenance;
Proactive Maintenance
Proactive maintenance procedure should be accompanied with periodic cleaning. Periodic cleaning is mainly to remove accumulated dirt from interior and exteriors parts so that clean, portable water is always dispensed. This should be done with designated cleaning chemicals.
Identify and Fix Water Leakage Problems: Water can leak from water dispensers due to increase in pressure which causes expansion of the pipes by hot water. To rectify this, check water supply valve and tighten the nuts of the valve. If the leakage persists, the tap (dispenser) should be unscrewed and cleaned. After unscrewing the end piece of the tap check for blockage. Wipe off the tap with a vinegar and water mixture and screw it back to the water dispenser.
Water Temperature Related Issues: Where little or no hot water is produced, check the power cord. Make sure the power cord is properly plugged in and current is flowing through it. To make sure there is no issue with the wall socket or fuse box, use a tester to check if there is electrical current. Then press the red reset switch off and on. It is usually at the top side of the rear of the water dispenser. Wait for 15 minutes and then try to dispense hot water. If the issue still persists then the heating element might need a replacement. A water dispenser technician is needed to replace the heating element.
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When water dispensed is not cool, the water dispenser should be switched off, drained and wiped dry. It should be plugged back into the wall socket without a bottle. Locate the reset switch, a green button and turn it off. Unplug the water dispenser and leave it overnight. Plug it the next day and leave for 3 to 5 hours before placing a new bottle in the reservoir. The water dispensed should be cooler. If this persists, it is likely that the compressor of the water dispenser might need a replacement or the water dispenser has electrical issues; a technician should be consulted.
Leaky Drip Tray: The drip tray is most likely overflowing and would need to be emptied immediately. Simply detach and empty the water tray.
No Water is Being Dispensed: This is most likely caused by an air lock due to air pressure forced into the water dispenser as the bottle is placed on it. To rectify this, remove the bottle and place it back on the water dispenser but the taps should be also opened while doing this.
Poor Water Pressure: Poor water pressure could be due to an obstruction in the pipes of the water dispenser. Disconnect the pipes and blow air through it to clear out the blockage. Another reason could be partial opening of a pipe’s valve. Make sure valve is open all the way.
Leaky Taps: Check tap is tightly screwed on. If the leakage persists, the problem might be the washer is preventing the tap from closing properly. In this case, you will need to drain the reservoir into a bucket and call a water dispenser technician to fix this.
Water Dispensed is not drinkable: This is most likely due to a dirty reservoir. Water dispenser reservoir and taps should be cleaned. For water dispensers with filters, a change of filter is necessary. It is important to inspect water filters regularly. Water filters should be checked every 6 to 12 months. Please consult the manufacturer’s guide in regards to the location and replacement of water filters.
Reactive Maintenance
Reactive maintenance involves procedures usually taken after proactive measures have failed to rectify identified problems. The machine should be maintained every six weeks by trained technicians to avoid the bacteria stated earlier. It is the responsibility of facility managers at the workplace to ensure that water dispensers are properly maintained through a maintenance agreement with the technicians which will include regular thorough cleaning of the internal and external components of the dispensers.
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