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Sustainable Buildings London is home to some of the world’s most sustainable buildings. Take, for example, the PricewaterhouseCoopers office building, constructed above Charring Cross Station. This building, which has a BREEAM rating of 96.3% (“Outstanding”), features an energy system that converts recycled vegetable waste into fuel, and a staircase installed within the atria to promote physical activity rather than the use of lifts. More than 95% of the materials used in construction were responsibly sourced. Consider, too, Citicape House, the five-star hotel and co-working venue best known for its huge living wall. Sequestering up to 8,000 kg of carbon dioxide per year, Citicape House’s 3,716 m2 living wall is the largest in Europe. And then there’s the 19-year-old Gherkin, the iconic London skyscraper that’s become a legend in its own time. Double-skinned glass exterior, spiralling light wells, and natural ventilation are all part of an energy-efficient design that cuts energy consumption to about half that of a typical building of its size. This 41-storey architectural masterpiece has the distinction of being London’s first environmentally sustainable skyscraper.  These buildings – and many others in London and throughout the UK – are built and fitted out with a view to reducing air and water pollution, land use, and operational costs. They’re created with a view to increasing efficiency, productivity, and wellbeing. Buildings like these are leading the way down an arduous route towards net zero emissions in the global building stock. The Race to Zero campaign, a global initiative launched in 2020 by the United Nations Framework for Climate Change (UNFCC), aims to achieve net zero by the year 2050. Sustainable Hydration Imagine a drinking-water system that provides fresh, filtered water – chilled, still and sparkling – to every department on every floor of a skyscraper. Because each hydration station is fed by one central unit, which filters the water at source, all pipes are totally clear of limescale, meaning that the whole system is energy efficient and reliable. Imagine a space-saving, energy-efficient network of water dispensers that’s capable of hydrating a whole workforce. There’s no need to imagine it. This is Aqua Link, the world’s most advanced single-source hydration system for multiple dispense locations. The heart of Aqua Link may be out of sight in a plantroom, but it’s always in touch with the client and the Aqua Libra Co maintenance team. Connected to its own Internet network, the control unit provides dynamic reporting on all aspects of the system, including volume of water used, incoming mains-water pressure, water temperature, flow rate, leak detection, and CO2 replacement management. A dual pump system means that if the operational pump malfunctions, the second one will kick in. If this happens, the Aqua Libra Co team will be alerted by the control unit, and remedial work can be undertaken without downtime. Every hour, each outlet is capable of dispensing 45 litres of drinking water. That’s a lot of water! So just imagine all that water being sourced from plastic bottles, and all those plastic bottles being trundled away for recycling in a vehicle that swallows 9 litres of fuel every eight miles … The Aqua Link system consumes significantly less energy than it would take to run the equivalent number of discrete units, and as additional outlets join the network, the proportionate running cost decreases. An ideal system for a growing company. Aqua Link is a mains-fed system. Cold drinking water is filtered and chilled in the control unit, and for sparkling water, there’s a large-capacity carbonator. This means that no dedicated cupboard space is required at dispense points; all that’s needed is a tap or a bottler on a worksurface. BREEAM Accreditation BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method. BREEAM accreditation helps owners and managers of buildings demonstrate social responsibility and sustainable business leadership. BREEAM recognition can give a business credibility in the eyes of consumers and investors, but it can also help a business gauge its own sustainability performance and plan a clear route to higher levels of sustainability. The scope of the BREEAM system includes all commercial buildings in all stages of development. This means not only planning and construction, but also fitting out and refurbishment. For large corporations, conference centres, and hotels, Aqua Link is the world’s most sustainable single-source drinking-water system for multiple dispense outlets. Facilities managers all over the UK and beyond have selected Aqua Link for energy-efficient hydration throughout a building. (Read Aqua Libra Co’s Rhubarb Hospitality case study.) Contact Us At Aqua Libra Co, we know a lot about hydration and water dispense. If you’d like to know more about Aqua Link or any of our other products, visit  https://aqualibra.com/. Alternatively, give us a call on 0800 080 6696 or email [email protected].

Accreditation from the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method (BREEAM) helps owners and managers to “demonstrate corporate social responsibility and sustainable business leadership”. BREEAM accreditation provides businesses with: the means to gauge their own sustainability performance; a clear route towards even higher levels of sustainability. The scope of the system includes all commercial premises in all stages of development, from planning to construction, to refurbishment and fitting out. Most relevant to the provision of drinking water is the BREEAM In-Use standard, which, for permanently staffed buildings or office areas, sets a baseline requirement that a chilled, mains-fed point-of-use water supply (or point-of-use water cooler) is provided in each staff kitchenette or in a suitable location on each floor level and in any staff canteen. So, when it comes to specifying a workplace water-dispenser system, what factors will affect the organisation’s BREEAM credits? Minimising the carbon footprint The impact human beings have on the environment is determined by the amount of greenhouse gases that we produce. The degree of pollution caused by the emission of greenhouse gases is calculated as a carbon footprint, a concept that can be associated with a product or service, an individual, family, business, event, nation, or, in fact, the global population. A business’s carbon footprint is measured by the sum of its parts. When specifying a drinking-water system associated with low emissions of greenhouse gases, the major consideration must surely be that the product offers a high-quality alternative to bottled water. The manufacture of plastic bottles involves numerous processes that emit greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) into the atmosphere. These processes include: extraction of raw materials (mainly oil) production of plastic resins transportation (from source to plant to factory to wholesaler to retailer to consumer to landfill/recycling centre) (potential) incineration With the capacity to dispense hundreds of cups of boiling, chilled, or sparkling water every hour, the Aqua illi tap or the Aqua Alto tap can provide pure, top-quality drinking water to large workforces. Hand in hand with a company’s own environmental policy, these units can play a major part in eliminating disposable plastic in the workplace. Improved health and wellbeing According to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), access to drinking water is a human right. Many employers, however, go that step further and actively promote good hydration, because they recognise that supporting the health and wellbeing of employees equates to long-term investment in productivity. Along with natural light and fresh air, good hydration is essential for wellbeing. Through the provision of attractive, modern water dispensers, installed in prominent locations throughout the workplace, employers encourage good hydration and nurture a culture of health and wellbeing. Each Aqua illi and Aqua Alto tap is capable of dispensing hundreds of cups of pure drinking water every hour. But for times when table water is required, we have the Aqua Bottler, which will dispense more than 100 litres of still or sparkling chilled water per hour. This system comes as a countertop or undercounter unit, and our own borosilicate glass bottles are available for stylish decanting. Many of our customers choose to have their bottles branded with their own company logo, a service provided by our highly skilled in-house team. For bulk volumes of hot water, have a look at the Aqua Boil wall-hung boiler with full touch-button LCD display screen. Lowering the running costs The running costs of Aqua Libra Co’s water-dispenser systems are approximately 5% of the cost of providing drinking water by means of chilled bottled water and kettle-boiled water. Compared to our leading competitors’ products, our systems run at around half the cost. Zero limescale is a factor in low running costs. All our systems incorporate the Aqua Pure water purifier, meaning that every drop of water is 100% purified at the point where it’s sourced from the mains. Maintenance costs are cut by a massive 90%. For large corporations, hotels, or conference centres, Aqua Link is the world’s most advanced single-source, energy-saving drinking-water system for multiple dispense locations. The master unit, incorporating a dual pump, Aqua Pure purifying system, and Aqua Link Control Unit (smart reporting technology), is installed in a plantroom environment – for example, an attic or basement. From here, it feeds as many hydration points as you choose, on multiple floors of the building. As a company grows, the Aqua Link network can grow too. The greater number of outlets, the lower the proportionate cost of operation. Smart reporting means immediate response from our maintenance team, and minimal downtime. The Aqua Link Control Unit provides dynamic reporting on: incoming mains water pressure volume of water dispensed flow rate leak detection water temperature CO2 replacement management pump malfunction Contact Aqua Libra Co Aqua Libra Co is proud to have been always at the forefront of environmental initiatives within the water industry. Our aim is to help our clients achieve their sustainability goals – in terms of the natural environment, staff wellbeing, and economy. Our water-dispenser systems are designed for sustainability, and any one of them will contribute considerably to an organisation’s BREEAM credits. If you’d like to talk to us about any of our products, or if you’d like a copy of our 2021 product brochure, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.  

Aqua Libra Co’s product range has been designed and developed to excel in four key areas: functionality, aesthetics, performance, and sustainability. These four elements of excellence amalgamate into a fifth quality: adaptability. Our water systems come in modular form, so we can provide you with the right combination of features to meet your specific needs. Whatever the size and layout of your premises, and however many people are being catered for, we’ll be able to offer you a bespoke solution. It’s your water. We’ll do it your way. Ergonomic functionality One of the most amazing things about Aqua Libra Co undercounter water dispensers is their diminutive size. When you think about the sheer volume of water that these systems can dispense every hour, all through the day, it’s hard to believe that a three-function unit, which provides boiling, chilled, and sparkling water, can be housed in a cupboard no larger than 600mm (w) x 600mm (d) x 900mm (h). It’s true, though! As standard, each Aqua Alto or Aqua illi system is capable of dispensing 45 litres of purified water – hot, ambient, or chilled – every hour. That’s 180 250ml cups or glasses. At the ultra-high setting, the maximum volume of water per hour is doubled. The Aqua Bottling System, available as a countertop or undercounter unit, delivers 60 litres of still or sparkling chilled water per hour as standard, or, with the ultra-high option, 120 litres. Every business’s needs are unique, and this is reflected in the design of our hydration systems. Each tap can be pre-set to deliver a prescribed volume of water, reducing the risk of spills, splashes, and waste. Controlled flow, removable (and washable) dispense nozzles, plumbed-to-waste, flush-fitting drip tray, and straightforward user interface all contribute to easy and safe operation. Now, more than ever, we must all take particular care when using shared surfaces; but the best way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 via surface contact is to minimise that contact. Aqua Touchless is a gesture-controlled unit that requires no physical contact. With a generous delay time to ensure safety, this new technology plays a huge role in keeping workplaces safe from COVID-19. Streamlined aesthetics The first thing about the appearance of Aqua Libra Co taps is that they can be seen. In recent years, hydration has taken on a more prominent role in the workplace, emerging from the kitchen, or a dark corner of the office, into the limelight. No longer considered to be a feature of domesticity that has little to do with business processes, hydration now takes its place at the centre of activity. Aqua Libra Co taps are visible, and they make a statement: “stay hydrated”. With each unit tucked away in a small, under-counter cupboard, all there is to see is a simple, elegant tap and a tidy drainage grid. With the capacity to dispense hot, chilled, and carbonated water from one tap, the stylish Aqua illi, which comes in satin-black or chrome finish, is the highest-performing tap on the market today. Each elegant, swan-neck Aqua Alto tap dispenses one kind of drinking water. It could be hot, chilled, carbonated, or ambient. Just one under-counter unit, however, supplies up to three Aqua Alto taps. Now, what about colour? The Aqua Alto tap is available in any colour mentioned in the famous “Coat of Many Colours” song from the musical hit, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. … Times 35. … Plus some. Your Aqua Alto taps can be any of the 1000-plus Pantone colours, and therefore can be matched exactly to your existing décor or your brand colours. Exceptional performance Aqua Libra Co water systems deliver 100% purified water. Thoroughly filtered and treated with UV light, your water is totally free of microorganisms, protecting your staff from waterborne viruses and bacteria. It’s also free of minerals, meaning zero limescale for your system. Limescale is to blame for 90% of all problems associated with hot water products. No limescale means 90% less maintenance. Energy efficiency is, of course, a major factor in all areas of business operation. Our patented twin boiler heats water in two stages, reaping optimum value from the power input, while the cooling system chills water at the rate it’s used. This operational economy amounts to huge energy savings. The cost of running one of our water-dispenser systems is approximately 5% of the cost of providing hot and chilled water via kettles and refrigerated bottled water. Aqua Link is a centralised and fully monitored water-distribution system that delivers high volumes of chilled water, both still and sparkling, to multiple dispensers throughout an entire building. Any Aqua Libra Co dispenser will work within this system, and additional hydration outlets can be easily installed to cater for a growing company. Aqua Link’s unique dual pump ensures that any pump-related problems don’t impact too heavily on the service. If the operational pump stops working, the second one kicks in, preventing downtime whilst maintenance work is carried out. The Aqua Link also has the distinction of incorporating an extra-large-capacity carbonator in the master unit, along with the Aqua Pure water purifier, which purifies all water as it comes in from the mains, thus eliminating any chance of limescale in the system. There are so many reasons for us to be proud of the Aqua Link; and here’s one more. Smart technology allows dynamic recording of water use, flow rate, water temperature, incoming mains water pressure, leaks, and CO2 management. Real-time information is sent to our maintenance team, who will respond as soon as possible. Workplace sustainability Aqua Libra Co hydration systems contribute to BREEAM credits by: lowering the carbon footprint; promoting health and wellbeing; supporting economic development. Aqua Libra Co dispenser systems are designed as a desirable alternative to bottled water. Manufacture, transportation, and disposal of plastic bottles are all associated with emissions of greenhouse gases – as is the refrigeration of large quantities of bottled water. Our mission is to contribute to a reduction in the world’s plastic consumption. A company is only truly sustainable if it supports the health of its workforce. Water is essential for every biological function, including temperature control, circulation, digestion, excretion, and cognition. The human body is between 50% and 75% water, and if we don’t keep topped up, we get dehydrated, which can lead to poor memory, fatigue, anxiety, and an inability to concentrate. Access to drinking water promotes general wellbeing, which is conducive to innovation, productivity, and commitment. Contact us If you’d like to know more about Aqua Libra Co's products and how they can fit into your work environment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.  

At Aqua Libra Co, we’re proud to provide an industry-leading standard of service. We have a dedicated customer care team to manage installations, maintenance, repair, and all other areas of customer support. Our elite after-sales service is fully backed by a dedicated, nationwide team of highly skilled technicians; and full staff training for the operation of equipment and best practices for your systems comes as standard. We’re the only company in the industry that uses purified water in the boiler, which increases water quality, eliminates limescale, and cuts faults and breakdowns by 90%. Our products are environmentally friendly and economical to operate. Although we say it ourselves, our taps are devilishly handsome! But are Aqua Libra Co’s products suitable for any business? Is there something here for everyone? Aqua Libra Co taps are stylish Case study Polish company Nowy Styl (English translation ‘new style’) is a European leader in comprehensive furniture solutions for offices and public spaces, with 33 showrooms in Europe and Asia, including London, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Prague, and Dubai. Nowy Styl were looking to provide boiling, chilled, and sparkling water in their brand-new showroom in Warsaw. For this company, style is of paramount importance. This fantastic new space now features an Aqua illi tap, with chrome finish, in the main refreshment area, dispensing drinks for staff and clients. The Aqua illi tap is probably the very best of its kind. We’ve supplied this product to a wide range of businesses and organisations, from small firms with fewer than 10 members of staff to large corporations with offices in multiple locations. Aqua illi is ideally suited to a customer-facing position – for example, in the hospitality sector or, as in the case of Nowy Styl, customer care. Aqua illi’s patented boiler design provides high volumes of purified boiling water (up to 360 cups per hour), so just one tap goes a long way to fulfilling the greatest of demands. Fill volumes can be pre-set for any vessel, and there are free-flow options available. Aqua illi's perfect water flow means no splashing – or any other nasty surprises! Whether the Aqua illi tap is in the form of a stand-alone unit or part of the Aqua Link system, it can cater for dozens of users, quickly and efficiently. Aqua Libra Co taps are environmentally friendly Case study BIKE-DROP provides valet-style parking and security for bicycles in Central London. Besides parking, services include charging stations for e-bikes, puncture-repair services, and hydration stations for free water-bottle refill. BIKE-DROP were looking to install chilled-water dispensers at multiple locations in Central London, and they wanted to work with a reliable hydration partner who shares the same commitment to environmental care. They opted for Aqua Alto taps in orange finish – to match their corporate colours. Each Aqua Alto tap dispenses one kind of drinking water: boiling, chilled (still or sparkling), or ambient. The great thing about Aqua Alto, though, is that up to three taps are fed by just one base unit. With three separate taps, dispensing as many as 360 cups of boiling water or 600 cups of chilled water per hour, queues are greatly reduced. Aqua Alto is a popular choice for many reasons – not least the fact that it comes in any colour you choose. BIKE-DROP matched their taps to their main company colour. Other clients have selected colours to complement, or contrast with, their office décor. Like all our products and systems, the Aqua Alto tap takes the place of pre-packaged drinking water, a policy embraced by organisations who have a mission to reduce the amount of plastic that’s manufactured and dumped. Aqua Libra Co taps are hygienic and safe Every drop of water that comes out of our taps is 100% pure. Even the boiling water. Through a combination of fine filtration and ultraviolet light treatment, all viruses, bacteria, minerals, and plastic particles are eliminated, leaving only pure, unadulterated water. The water is hygienic, but what about the equipment? Aqua Touchless is really finding a place for itself in a world where office managers are doing their utmost to prevent the transition of COVID-19 in the workplace. Aqua Touchless is a piece of equipment that works alongside any of our water-dispenser systems, allowing all communication with the tap to be touchless. Operated by gesture control, Aqua Touchless greatly reduces the risk of transmitting COVID-19 through touching shared surfaces. Aqua Libra Co taps are adaptable Case study BWI (BeijingWest Industries) Group is a leading international supplier of automotive components, with manufacturing facilities in the UK, Poland, Czech Republic, China, and Mexico. The company was looking to provide efficient hydration stations for the 400-plus employees working in their brand-new research and development centre in Krakow, Poland. The research centre is now furnished with five hydration stations, each featuring a three-in-one Aqua illi tap that dispenses boiling, chilled, and sparkling water. In addition, there are ultra-high-capacity Aqua Alto taps in the main breakout room, to cater for busy times. The Aqua illi and Aqua Alto taps are ideal solutions for portion dispense. But they’re also perfectly designed for filling bottles without the need for font extension. A flush-fitting drip tray, plumbed to the waste-water system, catches spills, preventing water from dripping onto the floor and creating a slip hazard. A product we recommend for large organisations – particularly those that occupy a multi-floor building – is Aqua Link. The Aqua Link system comprises a centrally located control unit, usually installed in a plantroom environment, and as many hydration points as you choose. With options including the Aqua Alto tap, the Aqua illi tap, the Aqua Bottler (available as a countertop or undercounter unit), and the Aqua Boil wall-hung boiler, you can install the most appropriate dispense solution at each hydration point throughout the building. Aqua Link saves space at dispense points, reduces costs, and guarantees zero downtime, thanks to its dual-pump system. The unit’s Smart Control provides dynamic reporting on incoming mains water pressure, the volume of water dispensed, flow rate, and leak detection. Aqua Link is the world’s only single-source drinking water system for multiple dispense points to purify and carbonate water at source. The ultra-high-capacity carbonator facilitates the supply of large volumes of sparkling water. Can we cater for any business? So, are Aqua Libra Co’s products suitable for any business? Is there something here for everyone? We believe they are. And we believe there is. To talk to us about water-dispense systems, contact Aqua Libra Co. We look forward to hearing from you.

Office design is about the marriage of commercial advancement and human needs. It's about privacy and collaboration – the ability to work alone and focus, yet still to have the support and companionship of colleagues. And it’s about health, safety, and hygiene – the rights of employees to work in a clean, safe environment, with access to lavatories, first-aid, and drinking water. These aspects of office design are as relevant as ever, but as we move into 2021, they’re going to be shaped by the world’s recent experience of a viral pandemic. Purpose of the office Many companies have been operating successfully throughout all stages of lockdown by means of a WFH (work from home) regime. A trend for home-working was already creeping into the schedule of many UK businesses, with just over 5% of people in employment working mainly in their own home in 2019 – compared to 4.3% in 2015. But in 2019, only around 30% of workers had any experience at all of working from home. [Source: Office for National Statistics] In 2020, the slowly shifting pattern of office life was given a mighty nudge by the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as damage control seems to be the path we wanted to take anyway. Home work is becoming a new normal. Despite a general approval of WFH, we’re very far from the point of ditching the office completely. In fact, companies are putting time and effort and money into adapting their workplaces to the new requirements. Maybe the office will be a central station for meetings, collaboration, and training – where social and professional bonds are kept secure. Social distancing at the office The concept of hygiene, as we knew it before COVID-19, doesn’t really cover all the bases when it comes to the modern workplace. Transmitted via water vapour from one respiratory system to another, the COVID-19 virus has excellent chances of survival and growth wherever people are close together. Visual signage - arrows, worded instructions, and demarcations - is a familiar feature of hospital buildings. During 2020, this type of signage has also become commonplace in shops, banks, and walkways. And offices. A good start to social distancing is a one-way system, which makes it easier for people to avoid face-to-face proximity. A one-way system might include separate entrances and exits, although not all existing spaces are equipped for this set-up. Wide walkways and multiple entrances might be a major consideration in the design of new office buildings. Any space saved by fewer staff in the office will inevitably be used up in reorganisation for social distancing. In 2021 and beyond, there’ll be a need for meeting spaces that have capacity for several people, at least two metres apart. Tight huddles and leaning over a colleague’s shoulder are already a thing of the past. Office design in 2021 could well be based on meeting spaces rather than numerous individual workstations. Working independently at home for some of the time and coming into the office for collaboration and staff meetings might be the way much of the UK’s workforce will be working. Touch-free office Touchless sensing and gesture control are types of touch-free technology that respond to the stimulus of movement. Automatic doors, toilet flushes, taps, and air-conditioning units are already familiar to most of us. Other sensor-operated appliances include coffee machines, lifts, lights, and water dispensers. The essence of touch-free technology is that we don’t have to touch shared surfaces, and the use of smartphones in a touch-free environment is of tremendous value. An internet connection provides not only a means of activating a door, for example, but also a reliable level of security. Where authorisation is required, an identifiable smartphone is valid ID. Personal health and hygiene Handwashing has taken on a new level of significance. Health and Safety at Work guidelines have previously told us to wash our hands: after using the toilet or handling refuse; after using cleaning products; after a break; before and after touching food; and after sneezing, coughing, or blowing our nose. Handwashing is now a high priority in any public (or private) environment. Office design in 2021 will undoubtedly incorporate handwashing facilities, and for many companies these facilities will operate by touch-free technology. In certain offices, there’s already a requirement for all staff to take their own temperature on arrival, and this simple procedure might become more widespread in 2021. In a move to avoid using public transport, many people have been cycling or walking to work. This might lead to a demand for showering facilities at work. Ventilation The gases we breathe out are loaded with water vapour. If a person is infected with COVID-19, the virus will be cadging a ride in the vapour, ready to be breathed in by somebody else. Diluting the indoor atmosphere with fresh air reduces the chances of catching the virus through inhaling. Open windows are a great source of fresh air. But sometimes the weather is prohibitive. Now, more than ever, a good ventilation system is an essential office appliance. Materials in a 2021 office Porous materials, such as wood, stone, unglazed ceramic, linen, and cotton are not as easily cleaned and sanitised as non-porous materials – for example, metal, marble, varnished wood, and vinyl. Natural textiles and untreated wood probably won’t feature much in the offices of 2021. Heavy-duty carpets with moisture-barrier backing will withstand a rigorous cleaning regime, and a carpet that’s regularly shampooed will last longer if it’s made of solution-dyed synthetic fabric. Synthetic textiles such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are polymers, created in a liquid state. If pigment is added to the molten polymer before it’s extruded through the spinneret, the colour will be fully integrated into the material, and it won’t fade. A new awareness COVID-19 really has upset the status quo of businesses and communities. One reassuring aspect of the pandemic, however, is that we’re all in this together. Technology, scientific research, government guidelines, social awareness, and a co-operative mindset in business relationships will all contribute to a smooth transgression from one normal to another.  

“The owners of hotels and other guest accommodation have a duty to reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures.” UK government website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance and support Will there be changes to the way we offer drinking water post lockdown? COVID-19 is a respiratory disease. Contamination occurs when the virus enters a person’s respiratory system, carried in the breath’s moisture. Contamination can occur in two ways: 1. Directly – from one person’s exhalation to another’s inhalation.2. Indirectly – transferred from one surface to another, and ultimately to a person’s respiratory system. Through the use of face coverings in public or in gatherings, direct contamination can be largely prevented. However, the transference of COVID-19 via touch is a bigger beast to tackle, because the virus can survive on untreated surfaces for more than 24 hours. Via spittle and saliva, the virus can be transferred from hand to hand, hand to surface, surface to hand, and ultimately to a person’s respiratory system. So, will there be changes to the way drinking water is provided in corporate hospitality and office environments? Some procedural changes are already coming into practice. Cleaning routines Because COVID-19 is highly infectious, all touchable surfaces must be vigilantly monitored, cleansed, and disinfected. In this post-lockdown period, when offices and hotels and conference centres are reopening, we’re already becoming more aware of cleaning procedures, which, in the old normal, were usually carried out discreetly, in the background. The necessity for cleaning tasks to be undertaken more frequently means that this aspect of service is now more visible, providing, in addition to scrupulous hygiene, a certain sense of reassurance to customers and staff. Water dispensers are touched every time they’re used – with the exception of the Aqua Touchless from Aqua Libra Co. Even if people are conscientious about hand-washing, it only takes a touch to the mouth or nose to transfer moisture from the respiratory system to the hand, and, potentially, to contaminate a surface with COVID-19. The virus can be present in someone before they experience any symptoms. It’s important, therefore, to keep water dispensers, display cabinets, and tabletops clean and disinfected – a procedure that will require additional resources, such as PPE (personal protective equipment), cleaning products and materials, and, possibly, labour. As in a supermarket, where disinfectant spray and paper towels are provided to customers for the cleansing of baskets and trolleys, it might well become common practice for similar facilities to be provided at hydration stations. Hand sanitisers Once upon a time, before COVID-19, it wasn’t the norm to carry around hand sanitiser and to use it frequently throughout every day. Many moons ago, before COVID-19, the only establishment in which you’d expect to see hand sanitiser for public use was the hospital. In the post-lockdown world, hand sanitiser is universally available; far from being considered a little eccentric for using it, you might be frowned upon for not using it. Therefore, where there’s a water dispenser, there will surely be a supply of hand sanitiser. Multiple hydration stations During lockdown, single-use items became a universal solution to business continuity in the catering industry. But a backward stride in environmental concern can’t be a long-term solution. Bottled water and disposable cups were saviours for many businesses earlier this year, but now that we’re moving into a new normal that could go on indefinitely, there’s a need to redress the balance. The manufacture, filling, and shipping of plastic bottles, and their subsequent disposal, accrue a huge cost to the natural environment. Providing drinking water by means of water dispensers is a more environmentally friendly solution than large numbers of plastic bottles. Water dispensers also present a financially better option. In offices and communal areas where water dispensers are already installed, we could see additional units appearing. With a need to avoid queues and gatherings, and at the same time allowing time for the sanitising of hands and equipment, business owners and managers might well consider additional units to be a good long-term solution for the provision of drinking water to visitors, customers, and staff. Disposable cups might be provided, but people can also refill their own reusable cups and bottles. The new normal Over the past seven years, water-dispenser units have become increasingly popular in the UK. Concern for the natural environment and a growing awareness of the link between hydration and health have led more and more business owners to opt for the water dispenser as a means of providing staff, visitors, and customers with pure, chilled water. If this trend continues, we might see a significant reduction in the amount of plastic that’s disposed of every day. And in 10, 20, 30 years’ time, hand sanitisers and DIY cleaning facilities in shops, offices, and tourist attractions – and at all hydration stations, too – might still be the norm. For now, though, in the second half of 2020, going into 2021, the way we offer drinking water will be with respect for hygiene and safety, hand-in-hand with that long-established determination to be kind to the environment.

Let’s invent a fictional company. We don’t know what product or service the company sells. We’re only interested in staff refreshments. This company employs 18 full-time staff, and they all work in one large office. The office operates Monday to Friday for 50 weeks in the year. (The staff take a two-week break over Christmas and New Year.) We’ll call the company CashSave Ltd. The boss’s name is Sophie. CashSave Ltd has always provided the staff with refreshments at work. Sophie believes that good hydration is key to health and wellbeing, and she knows that if she looks after her workers, productivity will be high. CashSave Ltd is located in a fictional county called Averageshire, where electricity charges are always set at the UK average. For the past two years, in Averageshire, the standing charge has been 20.58p per day, and the electricity unit rate 14.4p per kWh. Kettles and bottles (Year 1) Until a year ago, the CashSave staff made their hot drinks by boiling the three office kettles. Sophie also provided each member of staff with a 2-litre bottle of water daily. Each of the three 2kW kettles held 1.5 litres of water, which provided 6 servings. Four times a day, all three kettles were filled and boiled for hot drinks. Each kettle consumed 0.1 kWh at each boil. Every day, the cost of boiling 12 (4 x 3) kettles was 17.28p. Sophie would buy bottled water in bulk, and each 2-litre bottle cost the company 50p. The daily cost of water was 900p. In Year 1, the daily cost of drinking water at CashSave Ltd was 917.28p. Aqua illi – the world’s smartest touch tap (Year 2) Exactly one year ago, Sophie made a radical change at the office: she had a new water dispenser unit installed. It was the Aqua illi tap, designed and built in the UK by Aqua Libra Co – an industry leader in commercial boiling- and chilled-water dispensers, and the industry’s No.1 for after-sales service. Built in modular form, Aqua illi can be adapted to requirements. At present, the office model dispenses boiling and chilled water, but Sophie is planning to add sparkling-water to the unit in the near future. The Aqua illi tap in the CashSave office is switched on for 12 hours a day, five days a week. In standby mode, the boiler consumes 0.1kWh of energy per hour. In full operation mode, it consumes 1.1kWh per hour (constantly in use). At each tea break, the boiler is in operation mode for approximately 10 minutes, consuming 0.183 kWh. In a day (a total of 40 minutes), the boiler consumes 0.732 kWh in operation mode. During the 11 hours and 20 minutes in standby mode, the Aqua illi boiler uses 1.13 kWh of energy. The daily running cost of the Aqua illi boiling tap is 26.8p. The Aqua illi cooler delivers up to 600 deliciously chilled cups of pure water every hour. In full operation mode, the cooler consumes 0.15kWh. To say that the cooler is in operation mode for 50% of the 12-hour day is surely an exaggeration, but we’ll use this figure in the knowledge that we’re in no danger of under-estimating the running costs. Therefore, over a period of six hours, the cooler consumes 0.9kWh, at a cost of 12.96p. All water dispensed by the illimani taps is purified – a process that consumes 0.432kWh in each 12-hour day, at a cost of 6.22p. In Year 2, the daily cost of drinking water at CashSave Ltd was 45.98p. Comparisons In Year 1, Sophie spent £2,293.00 on drinking water. The total cost of drinking water in Year 2 was £114.95. How does Year 2’s figure compare to Aqua Libra Co’s competitors – the best of the rest? It’s approximately 50%. How does it compare to the total cost of drinking water in Year 1? It’s approximately 5%. How do you provide drinking water at the office?  

When your office has boiling, chilled, and sparkling water on tap, some wonderful breakfast and lunch opportunities present themselves. Breakfast What to have for breakfast at work … Instant porridge At Aqua Libra Co, we believe there’s no better way to kick off the day than with a pot of instant porridge oats, topped with fruit and nuts. Leave the oats in the pot – no need to create unnecessary washing up – and just add boiling water. After a few minutes, give the porridge a stir and it will be ready to eat. Now to liven up your porridge with some nutritious nuts and fruit … You could pop in some blueberries and shelled walnuts. Walnuts are rich in iron, calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Blueberries are full of vitamins K and C, and also manganese – a mineral that’s good for bone health and the regulation of blood sugar. Alternatively, add a chopped banana or granola, a sachet of sugar, chopped hazelnuts, or dates. However you enjoy your oats (ooh-er missus!), a pot of instant porridge with walnuts and blueberries, banana, dates, granola, hazelnuts, or sugar – or just on its own – will keep you full up and on top form until lunch time! Fizzy jelly (This little treat is not for a Monday.) In preparation for the next morning, dissolve your jelly cubes in a minimal amount of boiling water. Now add chilled sparkling water to bring the mixture to full volume. Put lots of sliced banana and strawberries into a bowl or Tupperware box, pour your fizzy jelly over the fruit, and get it into the fridge as quickly as possible; you need to lock in the fizz! Made with gelatine, which is full of amino acids, jelly is tremendously good for your immune system. This sweet, fizzy, refreshing breakfast might seem like sheer indulgence; but, loaded with fruit and water, and rich in amino acids, it’s actually incredibly healthy. Lunch “Destiny may ride with us today, but there is no reason for it to interfere with lunch.” Peter the Great (1672-1725) Russian Emperor Instant noodles Now, a pot of instant noodles may not be the most nutritious or healthy snack; it’s not even very filling. But instant noodles make a fantastic base for something a little more substantial. Add boiling water to your noodles, according to the instructions, and when they’re done, add some cooked chicken or sausage. Instant soup A mug of instant soup is a great lunchtime favourite. Add boiling water to the dehydrated powder mix, and your hot, nourishing soup is ready to be enjoyed on its own or with a bread roll. A single serving of instant soup is usually around 100 calories. Drinks Fancy something a little different to drink with your meal? Bovril How about a cup of Bovril at breakfast time? Just add boiling water to a teaspoonful of Bovril paste. Bovril was invented by a Scottish butcher called John Lawson Johnston (1839-1900). Having emigrated to Canada in 1871, Johnston was contracted to supply the French army with preserved beef products during the Franco-Prussian War. For his services to France, Johnston was awarded the Order of the French Red Cross. Bovril was supplied to the British Armed Forces in WWI and WWII, and the drink is traditionally enjoyed by football fans as they try to keep warm during winter matches. Herbal teas Do you enjoy the clean, fresh taste of peppermint? How about the sweet, spicy bite of ginger? Peppermint and ginger are extremely beneficial for the digestion, so if these flavours are your cup of tea (thank you), why not make yourself a hot ginger or peppermint infusion with pure boiling water, and enjoy it as part of your lunch at work.  

Quick Quiz: What is the world’s most advanced centralised dispense solution (CDS)? What CDS has a dynamic SMART reporting system? What CDS is eco-friendly, uses ultra-efficient cooling technology … and has a dual-pump system, guaranteeing zero downtime? Answers: Aqua Link Aqua Link Aqua Link A class of its own Aqua Link is the world’s most advanced single-sourced drinking-water system for multiple dispense locations. The Aqua Link Control Unit (ALCU) is installed in a plant-room environment, such as a basement or attic, and from that source, ambient, chilled, and sparkling water is filtered and distributed to any number of drinking-water outlets on any number of floors. At each outlet, a dispense-tap solution of your choice, such as Aqua illi or Aqua Alto, can be connected to the Aqua Link system. The CDS saves a lot of space at dispense points and is up to 55% more energy efficient than individual dispense units. Pure genius Because the water is double-filtered in the ALCU, all pipes in the Aqua Link system carry only 100% purified water, which means that limescale is never an issue. The CTO filtering process, which removes calcium, taste, and odour, leaves the water beautifully clear, fresh, and delicious. The water is disinfected by means of LED (light-emitting diode) UV (ultra-violet) light, which is significantly more effective than the UV lamps used in other centralised dispenser systems, disabling 99.99% of all microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and microbial cysts. Ultra-violet light waves damage the nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) of microorganisms so that they’re unable to replicate, leaving your drinking water pure and safe. Full marks for economy Aqua Link is a bit of a swot. Gets top marks in everything. Loved by customers … Not a favourite among its competitors. Aqua Link’s specialist subject is Economy. When interviewed, Aqua Link told us that its favourite word is Saving. (Actually, that’s not true. I made it up. Its favourite word is Hydration … No. Made that up too.) Nevertheless, whilst hydrating a whole workforce, Aqua Link does make a lot of savings – in quite spectacular style. Saving space Because all drinking water is delivered to multiple hydration stations from the control unit, where it’s filtered and chilled, a lot of space is saved at the dispense points. If all drinking-water taps operated independently, dedicated cupboard space would be needed to house each unit. With Aqua Link, however, all that’s needed is the tap on a worksurface. Saving the environment At each outlet, up to 600 cups of pure drinking water can be dispensed. Every hour. The equivalent amount of bottled water would produce a huge amount of plastic waste to be carted away in a recycling vehicle that swallows a gallon of fuel every four miles. Aqua Link uses R-290 cooling technology. In the context of refrigeration, R-290 is propane (C3H8) – a safe and effective coolant. What’s great about R-290 is its very low impact on global warming. Global warming potential (GWP) is a measure of a gas’s contribution to the Earth’s greenhouse effect. The amount of heat absorbed by a gas in the atmosphere is expressed as a multiple of the amount of heat an equal mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) would absorb over a particular period of time – typically 100 years. The GWP scale takes into account two factors: the amount of heat potentially absorbed; and the length of time the gas retains the heat. Some gases will break down and release heat within a few years; others, like carbon dioxide, which is the base unit for GWP, retain heat for thousands of years. Propane has an exceptionally low GWP of 3 (three times more warming potential than CO2) and its ozone depletion potential (ODP) is 0, meaning that this gas is not a threat to the environment. Saving money There’s no doubt that water-dispense units are an economical solution for the provision of healthy hydration in the workplace. And it’s also widely acknowledged that a centralised dispense system provides additional savings. The energy needed to power the whole Aqua Link system is significantly less than the energy needed to power an equivalent number of discrete units. As additional dispense outlets are added to the system, the proportional cost of running each tap becomes lower. What better way to accommodate the increasing demands of a growing company! Saving time The Aqua Alto or Aqua illi tap can dispense up to six hundred cups of chilled (still or sparkling) and boiling water an hour. The Aqua Bottling Systems will give you up to 180 litres of chilled, ambient, or sparkling water every hour. There are no queues and extended periods of downtime – and these dispense points can all be modules of the Aqua Link centralised dispense system. Aqua Link, as usual, goes one better than its peers in that it runs on a dual-pump system. Most CDSs operate on just one pump. If that pump needs servicing, the system is out of action. Not so with Aqua Link. In the event that there’s a problem with Aqua Link’s operational pump, the second pump kicks in automatically, maintaining smooth and efficient continuity of service. No downtime. Business – and hydration – as usual. Aqua Link philosophy Aqua Link is all about the clean simplicity of water and the vital role it plays in maintaining a healthy balance in the bodies of all living things. The beating heart of Aqua Link may be out of sight in the basement of your workplace, but it’s fully conversant with Aqua Libra Co team via Internet connection. Connected to its own network, the Aqua Link Control Unit (ALCU) operates independently of the customer’s local area network (LAN) system, providing dynamic reporting on all aspects of the system. We receive automatic notifications concerning: volume of water used incoming mains-water pressure water temperature flow rate detected leaks CO2 replacement management Aqua Link’s philosophy? Information. Communication. Connectivity.

The hosts Morgan Sindall Group describe themselves as “eight complementary businesses with one unified culture […] working to create long-term, sustainable value in the built environment.” Covering multiple disciplines within the fields of construction, maintenance, and interior design, the company received an A score from CDP in their 2020 Climate Change report; and they were among the first companies in the world to gain accreditation from the World Resources Institute (WRI) by the Science-Based Targets Initiative. Morgan Sindall Group recognise and address the challenges that businesses face as they strive for sustainability – challenges such as the growing demand for action against climate change, the need to reduce waste, and the task of delivering social value. Always proactive in cultivating relationships with suppliers, the Group hosted their “Meeting the Challenge” event on Tuesday 28 September at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. Meeting the Challenge Aqua Libra Co were represented by our wonderful Head of Development, Kevin Winchester, our lovely Specification Manager, Craig Brownlee, our stunning signature tap, Aqua illi, and the utterly fabulous Aqua Alto. We were one of 126 exhibitors in the Market Place, surrounded by a diverse range of suppliers – some we knew; some we didn’t. “We made some great new contacts,” says Craig. “Lots of people were interested in our products, and some of them will be paying us a visit at our London showroom.” “We also gave away some of our branded bottles,” adds Kevin. (Aqua illi made no comment, and Aqua Alto continued to look utterly fabulous.) This one-day event was a fantastic networking opportunity, attended by businesses who share Morgan Sindall Group’s commitment to sustainability. This was a day for working together in response to the climate emergency. It was a day that brought home the fact that we’re all striving to enhance communities and nurture innovation. Tuesday 28 September was a day to identify market synergies. … And Aqua Alto was looking utterly fabulous!

Limescale certainly causes a lot of problems. It affects the operation and condition of machinery, the quality of water, and the aesthetics of appliances. The sheer number of limescale-removal products on the market today is testament to this common and troublesome side-effect of our water supply. Interiors of washing machines, dishwashers, and pipes can get so badly clogged up with limescale that they cease to work effectively. Water flow is restricted, water pressure is reduced, and in the case of heat-exchanger systems, such as radiators and refrigerators, thermal conductivity is compromised. Limescale from the heating element of a kettle often breaks away to contaminate the boiled water, which is very unpleasant when it turns up at the bottom of your cup of tea or coffee. Our homes and workplaces are populated with appliances and hardware that use, store, and deliver water. And where there’s water, there’s limescale. … Unless you’re using a water-dispenser system from Aqua Libra Co. What is limescale? Limescale is an accumulation of mineral compounds, left behind on hard surfaces after water has evaporated or boiled. In many cases, these surfaces are the interiors of pipes and appliances, and limescale build-up goes undetected until some real damage has been done. Around 68% of the UK’s water supply is sourced from rivers and reservoirs. The rest is extracted from aquifers, which are bodies of underground sedimentary rock that store water. In the UK, a large proportion of this rock is limestone, formed from compressed shell and bone of marine organisms that lived millions of years ago. The rock’s capacity to hold water is its porosity. Fracture porosity refers to the fractures and cracks in the rock, and intergranular porosity refers to the tiny spaces between the grains of stone. The porosity of the rock is calculated by dividing the total volume of the rock by the collective volume of the voids. For example, if the voids within a 60m3 volume of limestone total 3m3, the rock’s porosity is 1/20 (5%). Limestone is made up largely of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Magnesium and sulphur also make an appearance in our water supply, and so does iron, in various forms – most commonly iron monoxide (FeO), haematite (Fe2O3), and magnetite (Fe3O4). The presence of iron gives limescale a reddish-brown colour. Calcium carbonate An unusual characteristic of calcium carbonate is that it becomes more soluble in water as the temperature decreases. The hotter the water, the less soluble the calcium carbonate becomes. Which means, of course, that whereas some mineral deposits will be dissolved by very hot water, calcium carbonate will remain intact. Carbon dioxide also has an effect on the solubility of CaCO3. When calcium carbonate reacts with carbon dioxide, calcium hydrogen carbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) is formed. More commonly known as calcium bicarbonate, Ca(HCO3)2 is much more soluble than calcium carbonate. In the natural environment, dissolved carbon dioxide gas in rainwater reacts with calcium carbonate to form the more soluble compound, calcium hydrogen carbonate. Over millennia, this material dissolves, causing gradual but continuous reshaping of the landscape. Descaling agents Calcium carbonate is best treated with an acid; for example, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or citric acid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)) is a solution of hydrogen chloride and water, and it’s the main component of the gastric juice of mammals. The reaction between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate produces: water; carbon dioxide; and calcium chloride (CaCl2), which is a highly soluble salt. Acetic acid (C2H4O2) is the main ingredient of vinegar, made by bacteria of the genus Acetobacter. With a plentiful supply of oxygen, the bacteria convert ethanol (C2H6O) to acetic acid and water: C2H6O + O2 = C2H4O2 + H2O Formic acid (CH2O2) occurs naturally in the trichomes (hairs) of stinging nettles. It’s also found in ants. Formic acid is named from the Latin word for ‘ant’ – formica. Citric acid (C6H8O7) occurs naturally in some fruits (citrus fruits), for example, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes. All of these acids are effective limescale removers. In fact, washing windows with vinegar or squeezing lemon juice onto taps are traditional methods of dealing with limescale in the home. What if there are no minerals in the water? If there are no minerals at all in a water supply, there’s no limescale. No limescale means that water systems and machinery remain in better working order. And systems that are in good working order require less attention. The Aqua Pure purification system eliminates all impurities from the water supply. This means that the drinking water you get from an Aqua Libra tap is totally free from waterborne bacteria and viruses and from all traces of minerals and plastic particles. It’s 100% pure water; H2O and nothing more. How can you tell when water is pure? When it doesn’t conduct electricity. It’s the dissolved solids in water that conduct an electrical current – not the water molecules. So, if all impurities are removed from water, it won’t conduct electricity. This is how we test our water purifiers at Aqua Libra Co. Why pure water? Mineral water is not bad for your health. In fact, traces of calcium in drinking water can be beneficial for bones and teeth. However, there’s very little calcium in mains water, and the benefits are minimal. The effect that limescale has on your appliances, though, is a lot more significant. Small amounts of calcium carbonate deposited on the insides of pipes and on heating elements soon mount up to a destructive coat of mineral armour that shortens the working life of your machines and contaminates your drinking water with scaly residue. When machines start to slow down, callouts become more frequent. Service and maintenance costs rise. Energy consumption increases. There's another reason for drinking purified water, and it’s at the very core of our mission to deliver the best hydration experience. Pure water tastes wonderful. Contact us for information about Aqua Libra water-dispenser systems.  

In its 2020 annual report, Zenith Global – world-leading consultants to the food and drink industry – revealed that UK water-dispenser sales had increased for the seventh consecutive year. At the end of 2019, there were 870,600 units installed in the UK – an increase of more than 100,000 since December 2014. The report shows that 40% (348,240) of the UK’s water dispensers are bottle-fed units, and 60% (522,360) are mains fed. Of the mains-fed units, just under 37% (191,532) are integrated tap systems. So, what does the future look like for water dispensers? And what are the main factors driving the growing demand for mains-fed hydration systems?   Environmental consciousness Many studies have been undertaken to determine the environmental impact of plastic water bottles. Conclusions vary widely, but reasonable averages can be extracted. In a 2019 UK survey by INCPEN (Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment) and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), the focus was on “citizens’ attitudes and behaviours relating to food waste, packaging, and plastic packaging”. More than half of the respondents said they’d become more concerned about food packaging over the past year. Concerns included: impact on oceans and marine life (66%), waste packaging going to landfill (61%), difficulty/impossibility of recycling (58%), and contribution to climate change (41%). Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of, and concerned about, plastic’s detrimental effect on the environment. A mains-fed integrated tap system can potentially eliminate the use of disposable plastic. Take, for instance, Aqua illi – the highest performing tap on the market today – or the innovative Aqua Alto, available in any colour. These water systems can dispense upward of 300 cups (the equivalent of 75 litres) of chilled water – still or sparkling – per hour. If that 75 litres of water were packaged in 500ml bottles (i.e. 150 bottles), the total plastic would weigh approximately 1,500g, representing 4,500g of CO2 emissions. The total volume of water consumed during the production and transportation of these 150 bottles would be 225 litres. According to a 2019 article by Forbes, millennials (or Gen Y) are loyal to companies that care about their effect on society. This generational cohort (people born between 1981 and 2000) make up approximately 50% of today’s workforce, and their values are helping to guide organisations towards sustainable development goals. “Refillability has become an important feature of the dispense market over the last two years.” (Richard Hall, Chairman and founder of Zenith Global) Health consciousness In its 2020 Health and Wellbeing at Work survey report, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) revealed that organisations who ran a wellbeing programme were seeing improvement in employee morale and engagement – as well as a drop in sickness absence and increase in staff retention. There’s certainly evidence that a health-conscious generation of 20-40-year-olds (millennials) is shaping a culture of general wellbeing, which is having a huge impact on corporate productivity. The Millennials and Wellness report by American flavour manufacturer, Fona International, reveals that this generation takes a holistic approach to wellness. The focus has shifted away from fad diets and self-denial towards moderation, appreciation for quality, and care of the whole self, including mental health and hydration. Regular hydration is one of the most important factors in maintaining physical and cognitive health. Attractive and accessible hydration stations contribute to a healthy workplace culture, where pure water is a natural part of the working day. Hygiene Consciousness The charismatic American microbiologist, Dr Charles Gerba (“Dr Germ”), has helped to open many eyes to the facts of pathogen life. His studies of office hygiene at the University of Arizona have revealed some interesting information, including that frequently quoted statistic: “a desk space can contain 400 times the number of germs as a toilet seat”. The reason for this fact, of course, is that nobody would dream of not cleaning a toilet seat; it takes a little more imagination to recognise the germ potential of a desk. The bulk of Dr Gerba’s research was conducted before the Coronavirus pandemic, but over the past year, we’ve all become acutely aware of pathogen transmission via shared surfaces, and hygiene has taken on a new significance. Measures adopted in all areas of life to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are possibly here to stay. The global mindset has altered, and technology is supporting our new needs. Let’s think about making hot drinks in the office by boiling a kettle. Somebody picks up the kettle (touchpoint: handle)They fill the kettle from the mains-water tap (touchpoint: tap)They switch the kettle on (touchpoint: switch)That same person will probably make drinks for colleagues to avoid an inconvenient crowd around the kettle (touchpoints: mugs/cups)This process is repeated throughout the day, with several people making contact with touchpoints. Most of these touchpoints can be avoided with an integrated tap dispense system. Capable of dispensing a portion of constantly available hot, purified water in just a few seconds, Aqua Alto and Aqua illi save time and drastically reduce the need to touch shared surfaces. Aqua Touchless goes that step further, with gesture-control technology that allows users to dispense hot water without touching any shared surface at all. Future of office hydration So, what will hydration in the office look like in the next few years? Zenith’s report predicts that the UK water dispenser market will continue to expand and that by 2024, there’ll be almost 950,000 installed dispenser units. A key projection in the report is that, in terms of numbers, mains-fed water dispensers will overtake bottle-fed coolers in 2021. Businesses are seeing the advantages of mains-fed integrated tap systems, which provide safe, economical, easy-to-access hydration. Aqua Libra Co units, which include our own patented twin boiler and Aqua Pure purification system, are housed out of sight in a cupboard no larger than 600mm (w) x 600mm (d) x 900mm (h). A stylish three-in-one tap or a set of individual taps is installed neatly on a worksurface over a flush-fitting, plumbed-to-waste drain. With the potential to dispense hundreds of cups of boiling, chilled, and carbonated water every hour and to cut out disposable plastic in the workplace, water-dispenser units are becoming an integral part of the workplace. We believe that in five years’ time, at least 50% of all UK workplaces will be using a mains-fed integrated tap system.

In any workplace, it’s important that the whole team keeps hydrated. It's important that drinking water is supplied efficiently and safely. And it’s important, in any workplace, that the environment is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.  Aesthetics to meet efficiency Now, it's quite possible to have one without the other – to choose efficiency over aesthetics; or vice versa. But there’s actually no need to sacrifice style for pragmatism, or to reduce efficiency for the sake of keeping up appearances. You can have it all. A boiling- and chilled-water dispenser can provide hundreds of cups of boiling and chilled water every hour, cutting down on waiting time and contributing to a plastic-free workplace. And the suave simplicity of an Aqua illi tap or the elegant minimalism of an Aqua Alto tap will add style, in abundance, to the office environment. At Aqua Libra Co, we use this equation: Aesthetics + efficiency = optimum productivity Pure water: no more limescale Limescale is one of the main issues surrounding the supply of drinking water. The build-up of calcium carbonate and other minerals on the linings of pipes and appliances looks and tastes unpleasant, and it can cause damage to the equipment. Because our patented water purifier is an integral component of illi and Alto taps, the water they dispense is 100% pure and free of limescale. Trustpilot reviews reflect customers’ opinions about limescale – or rather, the absence of it – in Aqua Libra Co water dispensers: “The units have purifiers on that totally eliminate limescale.” (Mr Foster, who has 20 units installed) “We have never seen any limescale.” (Lee) “[The taps] stopped all our limescale issues.” (David, who has over 100 units installed) Design Excellence Aqua illi is the highest-performing tap on the market, capable of dispensing up to 300 servings of boiling water, or 600 servings of chilled water, per hour. Built in modular form, Aqua illi is economically adaptable. When your organisation grows, you can add modules and features to your Aqua illi unit to match the needs of your team. The Aqua illi tap is a very popular choice in offices and in the hospitality industry, but the corporate world doesn’t have a monopoly on this little gem. Householders are also leaving reviews on Trustpilot: “The Aqua illi hot and cold tap is a really fantastic product and so easy to use. I have thrown away my kettle and now enjoy instant boiling PURE water.” (Carol) “The product has transformed our kitchen.” (Andrew) “It is a joy to use.” (Mary) Pantone Colour Match “Colour has always been an integral part of how a culture expresses the attitudes and emotions of the times.” (Pantone LLC) The colour of your Aqua Alto Tap can be matched to any of the 1000+ colours in the Pantone Matching System (PMS). So, whatever shades feature in your corporate colour palette, they can be reproduced in your office hydration system. The Aqua Alto Tap unit can feed a boiling-water tap, chilled-water tap, and sparkling-water tap. Three separate taps running off one unit. This means that three servings of drinking water can be dispensed at one time, cutting down even further on queueing. But even better than that, your three taps can be three different colours! How about choosing colours from your brand’s logo … or colours to match the office décor. To place your business right at the cutting edge of fashion, why not choose Pantone’s stunning Colour of the Year for 2021 – AI Aqua. Amazing We think the last word should go to Carol, from her Trustpilot review: “However did I live before this product? It is amazing.”