Piped Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains deliver fresh, clean water directly from the plumbing system via a bubbler or spout. Excess water lands in the basin beneath the spout and is drained away.
Filtration systems eliminate harmful microorganisms, extending fountain lifespan and providing healthy, safe drinking water for all users. Adding fountain features like bottle filling, maintenance taps and ADA accessibility can add extra functionality and convenience for users.
Convenience
The most basic requirement for a fountain or bubblers is that it needs to deliver a ready stream of clean, drinking water. This is why a good quality, durable drinking fountain is so useful in schools and universities, workplaces, public facilities and sporting clubs.
A quality made, freestanding or wall-mounted fountain that meets these basic requirements can have a range of options. These can include anti-vandal, freeze resistance, filtration and bottle filling. They can be refrigerated or non-refrigerated, and they can operate with either a foot pedal, hands-free sensor, lever or push-bar mechanism.
In addition to ensuring convenient access to clean drinking water, the use of drinking fountains can help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles that need to be used. This is an important goal in light of the growing concern over obesity, diabetes and heart disease, all linked to high-sugar drinks.
Providing access to filtered drinking fountains also helps to promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging people to drink less sugary soda and more water. These benefits are further enhanced when they are combined with a focus on sustainability and sensible resource management. Zurn Elkay has a range of fountains that are both environmentally friendly and highly functional. Some of their fountains even feature a Stainless steel water filter motion sensing bottle filler for added convenience. This is a great way to encourage people to bring their own bottle and re-fill it at the fountain rather than buy a new, expensive plastic bottle every time they need to drink.
Durability
Public fountains are a great example of how durable, low-cost plumbing can be. They can withstand harsh outdoor weather and specific temperature requirements for all seasons, and most are constructed with stainless steel basins for added corrosion resistance and longevity. This makes them an excellent, cost-effective solution for schools, parks, playgrounds and beaches that are looking to provide quick, filtered water to all.
Many people disparage public drinking fountains, but it’s important to remember that these fountains are just as clean as the tap water in your own home or office. In fact, public water fountains are often cleaner than your home sink because they don’t have the same buildup from unused faucets and dripping spouts. Germs aren’t the only concern, however: fountains can also introduce contaminants into your drinking water from unclean or poorly maintained pipes.
One of the most significant upgrades that has been made to drinking fountains in recent years is the addition of bottle-filling stations. These can be installed as standalone units or as attachments to fountains and can even come in models that are ADA-compliant. Bottle-filling stations are a great way to encourage people to use reusable water bottles, which can help cut down on waste. In addition, they can be used to fill up bottled water that is already in the user’s possession, which is helpful during emergencies and extended building closures.
Energy Efficiency
Whether you call it a drinking fountain, bubbler or water cooler, these fixtures are often the first place many people turn for a drink. They provide convenient access to clean, fresh water and encourage healthy behaviors like staying hydrated and avoiding sugary drinks. Some even feature Pipeline water purifier bottle-filling, allowing users to fill their own bottles to reduce waste from disposable plastic.
In addition to the benefits above, fountains can help save energy and cost. Some fountains use energy-efficient technology to keep the basin cool and prevent bacteria from growing. Other fountains offer options like filtration, reducing the amount of minerals in the water and preventing scale and corrosion. This increases the lifespan of the fountain and reduces maintenance costs.
Fountains can be placed in a variety of places, including schools and offices. In fact, some buildings and facilities are required to have one or more of these units by plumbing and building codes.
Regardless of where they are located, these devices use minimal amounts of energy to operate. This is due to the design of the fountain. The catch basin is designed to be at least twice as large as the height of a stream of jetting or falling water to ensure that all of the water is captured. The fountain’s nozzles have also evolved to use less water. As children began using the fountains as toys by placing their mouth over or on the spout to squirt others, the manufacturers of these fountains added mouth guards and anti-squirt holes.
Environmentally Friendly
Water fountains, especially those with filtered water, can boost a business’ reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers. They can also help reduce the amount of plastic bottles that end up in landfills. Depending on the model, some fountains even offer usage tracking and analytics features to facilitate sustainable water consumption management.
Fountains that are regularly cleaned and maintained can help reduce the risk of germs, as well as improving their appearance and functionality. Sediments and mineral deposits can clog fountain pipes and reduce their performance over time. The removal of these sediments through filtration keeps the water supply clean and clear, and prolongs the fountain’s lifespan.
When fountains are located in areas with high foot traffic, they can serve as breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. These microorganisms are a major threat to public health, especially if they come into contact with the hands of children and adults. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and disinfection of the fountain surface, can prevent this buildup.
Whether you’re in the market for a classic outdoor drinking fountain or a modern bottle filling station, Murdock offers a variety of options to meet your needs. We’ll help you find a water fountain that provides convenient, safe and healthy hydration for your community or office, while helping to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles.
