Tap Water Ideas for Offices & Councils

Rather than spend money on buying in plastic bottles of water, here are some simple and innovative (and more affordable) ideas to keep staff hydrated:

• Councils can install water hydration stations so that people can easily fill their water bottles for free. These are very advanced to filter out impurities and keep water at the correct temperature.
• Belu offers water filters for pubs, restaurants and hotels, and also offers sparkling water in (minimum 40% recycled) glass bottles of various sizes. Again, profits are diverted to help clean safe water charity projects.
• If you run an office or hotel, Frank Water Coolers help people stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste. These mains-fed coolers use profits to help bring fresh clean safe water to children in India.
• Refill lists thousands of places nationwide that offer free refills for tap water, and also lists where to find free drinking water fountains. These are popular abroad (in California, there is even a Fountain of Woof that spurts fresh water from a concrete dog’s mouth for visiting pooches!)

How Much Water Should We Drink?

We need water to keep cool, remove waste, and help our joints, brains and eyes (fresh water is also found in raw product like watermelons and bananas). The average person needs around 1.2 litres of water a day (more for athletes, hot weather, some medical conditions and after vomiting/diarrhoea).

So how much is 1.2 litres? Around 6 x 200ml glasses. So drink 2 glasses when you wake up, another 2 before lunch and dinner, and in a couple of weeks you’ll be hydrated. The caveat is that your body loses water with tea, coffee, cola and alcohol.

So add an extra glass, for each one of those you drink. It’s easier to reduce caffeine and alcohol, so you are not guzzling water all day to compensate.

What Kind of Water Should Pets Drink?

Spring and filtered water are fine, you may find health and fur improves. But vets say that (unless medically given) to avoid distilled water (removes minerals and electrolytes). Never give fizzy water to pets, as it could cause bloat.

Don’t let pets drink from puddles. It may taste nice to them, but could contain remnants of bacteria, oil or antifreeze.