The source of your drinking water at work ( tap water, bottled water, water fountain, or 5-gallon water jug) might be causing more issues than you think, especially if you are getting your water from a 5-gallon jug. Considering around 70% of the human body is made up of water, the quality is extremely important, as well as drinking the right amount daily. There is a solution that will benefit both your company’s health and budget.
A 5-gallon jug is often used in a typical office setting. It sits on top of a water dispenser and holds 5 gallons of water, earning its name. While 5-gallon jugs are still commonly used, there are much better alternatives that exist. At Pure Water Technology, we recognize the recurring issues surrounding drinking water in the workplace, specifically with the 5-gallon water jugs. We not only took action to find a drinking water solution that would provide fresher, cleaner water for commercial businesses, but we have also made it our mission to provide excellent customer service to make the process of accessing clean,pure, delicious tasting water that much easier. Our bottle-less water purification coolers are the most effective way to supply fresh, pure, oxygenated drinking water in the workplace. You might be thinking, “My 5-gallon water jug seems to be just fine,” or maybe you haven’t given the source of your office drinking water much thought at all. Let’s dive deeper into 5 different truths about the 5-gallon water jug and uncover why you need to make it your next priority to replace it.
Have you ever taken the time to think about the cleanliness of a commercial 5-gallon water jug and the dispenser? The truth is, the jugs and their dispensers are not cleaned and cared for as often as they need to be. Typically, the 5-gal water bottles sit in a reservoir that is part of the dispenser. This spot is often forgotten about and never gets sanitized, promoting the growth of algae and mold. The result is usually a green, slimy fungus that ends up being ingested. Consuming mold or algae in your drinking water can have detrimental effects on your health. The 5 gallon water jugs also get extremely dirty from sitting in storage or being transported during shipping, and if the bottle is not cleaned before use, you risk those contaminants and particles mingling with your drinking water, too. An advanced water purification system like those we offer at Pure Water Technology of Central PA and Northern MD uses carbon filtration and a reverse osmosis process. The carbon filtration removes chlorine and other chemicals. The reverse osmosis process removes heavy metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and other dissolved solids. The Carbon filtration and Reverse Osmosis is followed by activated oxygen injection to remove bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This Auto Tank Sanitization process (ATS) assures a clean fresh tasting water. When it is time for the filter to be replaced, our advanced systems will notify you with a message and our professional service team is just a phone call away so you don’t have to deal with the hassle. With the convenience and accessibility of the water purification systems at Pure Water Technology, there’s no more excuse for drinking unclean, unhealthy water.
The 5-gallon water jug also contributes to the spread of viruses and bacteria with its touch dispense faucet. In an age where society is deeply concerned with this issue, it is important to find an option that reduces germ dissemination. All of the water purification systems at Pure Water Technology have the option to utilize touch-less dispense activation like our customer favorite, PW90. Our units have also been designed with an antimicrobial agent to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria This is yet another way to promote health in your office with a simple switch in your supply of water.
2)
5-gallon jugs are not eco-friendly.While it is true that most 5-gallon jugs can be recycled to reduce plastic waste, the pollution released during their manufacturing and delivery process is harmful to the environment. There are much better, eco-friendly options out there to source your drinking water from. Because our products at Pure Water Technology are bottleless and are utilizing the water already in use in your building, we significantly reduce office waste in an attempt to promote a healthier future for the Earth. By using our commercial water purification systems and adopting a more sustainable approach to drinking water, your company can have a positive impact on the environment. Your business can help protect our planet. Our popular PW90 unit also displays how many plastic water bottles have been reduced.
3)
5-gallon jugs are difficult to replace.While you may not consider this task to be dangerous, many people face injuries when replacing a commercial use 5-gallon water jug. An individual who is changing the 5 gallon water jug cooler is at risk of injuring their hands, back, and neck. According to Argonne National Laboratory, “a full five gallon water cooler bottle weighs approximately 43 pounds.” This weight, along with the added awkward shape of the bottle and the distance it must be carried, can be hazardous. Regardless of the unnecessary dangers, it is also inconvenient and a workers’ compensation case waiting to occur. The difficulty an employee faces by replacing the jug or scheduling an outside vendor to appear on the premises takes away from productive, revenue driving tasks on a regular basis. Kitchen Fact shares that “The standard proportion for a facility or home that houses five to ten people is advised to plan to have three five-gallon water jugs every month. If you are in an office setting and employ thirty to fifty individuals, water deliveries can guarantee fifty, five-gallon water jugs for monthly distribution.” Between time and energy, it is evident that a 5-gallon water jug is not worth it. With one of the water cooler solutions at Pure Water Technology, such as the PW90, businesses could save time and prevent injury liability. Solutions like the PW90 are connected to the water system already in place in your building and are installed by our professional team so your employees won’t have to make time to regularly replace your source of water. When Pure Water Technology systems need servicing of any kind, our clients have access to our highly experienced service technicians who are factory certified for all the equipment and are ready to complete the job sometimes within the same day. Compared to companies that supply water jugs, our systems are much more convenient and our customer service is top-notch.
4)
5-gallon jugs take up storage space.If you have spent any time around a 5-gallon jug, you know how big they are. Depending on the manufacturer, sizes vary, but according to Quirk Brain, “the usual dimensions of a 5-gallon water bottle or jug are in the neighborhood of a diameter of 11 inches and a height of 19 ⅔ inches.” You could say a 5-gallon jug is comparable to a medium sized dog. When it comes to supplying the jugs, most offices buy 5-gallon jugs in bulk to save on costs, but this leads to an overflow in storage. As we learned earlier, an office with 30-50 individuals might use up to 50, 5-gallon water bottles within one month. In this case, the extra supply of water jugs will be taking up a significant amount of space in storage. The storage space being used for the water jugs is inconvenient and wasteful. That square footage could be used for something more beneficial to the company, such as expanding offices for employees to utilize. Pure Water Technology offers solutions that actively save space. Our systems are designed to fit easily into any office and because they are connected to the water system that already exists within the building, there is no need for extra storage space.
5)
5-gallon jugs are overly expensive.When it comes to 5-gallon water jugs, most people won’t see a good return on their investment. The money you spend for the product isn’t worth it in the end, especially considering all the risk you have as a buyer. The potential added costs of a 5-gallon jug might not be economically feasible. Between the cost of the actual water jugs plus a potential delivery fee, the amount of money you’re spending quickly adds up and can become overly expensive. In the case of Pure Water Technology, we guarantee our water purification systems are worth your investment. After installation, our clients have easy access to healthy, quality tasting water at an appropriate cost. With the purchase of one of our products, Pure Water Technology will also take care of any servicing or cleaning required for no extra charge, unlike most water jug companies.
The best way to access great tasting, clean water in your office is through a water purification system. Pure Water Technology currently offers over six different commercial water purification systems , each product meeting a variety of unique office needs. All of our systems utilize advanced, touchless, and bottleless technology to better your water drinking experience. We also offer delicious tasting ice and water combination units. If your office is presently using a 5-gallon water jug or another source of drinking water you are unhappy with, contact us for a no obligation, completely free-trial so you can see first-hand what differentiates Pure Water Technology from others. Reliable ice and water are the ultimate perks your employees deserve. Our team is ready to help you make the next steps towards improving your office today.
A water storage tank is a container used to store and hold water.
Tanks are typical for the following systems:
Rainwater collection/irrigation systems;
Domestic water supply; and
Fire suppression systems.
Why are water storage tanks required?
The most common scenarios where water storage is required include the following:
Water main failure: Water storage tanks provide a backup water source in case of a failure in the main water supply, such as a broken pipe or power outage affecting pumping stations. This ensures a continued water supply for essential drinking, cooking, and sanitation needs.
Water main flow rate limitations: Water storage tanks can be helpful in situations where the main water supply cannot meet the flow rate demand, such as during peak usage. By storing water in advance, a water storage tank allows for a consistent and steady water supply, even if the main water supply cannot provide enough flow.
Rainwater collection: Water storage tanks help collect rainwater because they provide a convenient and efficient way to store and conserve this precious resource. Rainwater is a free, renewable resource that can be used for various purposes, such as irrigation, landscaping, and washing. Collecting rainwater in a water storage tank can reduce your reliance on municipal water supplies, which can be expensive and face challenges such as droughts or water scarcity.
Overall, a water storage tank helps store and manage water resources in various scenarios.
How do storage tanks work?
The water is typically fed into the tank through the inlet pipe.
Tanks usually have level indicators to stipulate the water level in the tank; these control the flow of the inlet pipe.
On the outlet side, tanks use gravity or a pump to distribute the water.
The tank should also have an overflow pipe to prevent flooding and drain pipes to assist in cleaning the tank.
Where should you locate the tank?
Water storage tanks can be located either above-ground or underground.
The primary considerations when making your decision are:
Above-ground tanks are easier to access and maintain
Above-ground tanks, assuming they are at the top of the building, can still gravity-feed water to the building in the event of a power/pump failure
Above-ground tanks require space within the building, which architects will not want to provide
Above-ground tanks will add significant load to the structural design
Above-ground tanks may need a booster pump to supply them with water
Underground tanks are difficult to access and maintain
Underground tanks will not be able to supply water to the building in the event of a power/pump failure
Underground tanks do not require space within the building, which makes them easier to coordinate with architects
Underground tanks do not add significant load to the structural design
Underground tanks do not need a booster pump for water to fill them
In general, it is essential to carefully consider the location of a water storage tank to ensure that it is safe, functional, and fit for purpose.
Can you have multiple storage tanks?
You should have multiple water storage tanks in most scenarios.
Firstly, each type of usage will require a dedicated tank to prevent cross-contamination. For example, a separate tank will be required for domestic water, fire impression, and rainwater collection.
Secondly, having two water storage tanks (or a division wall within the tank) is a good idea to ensure the whole building’s water supply is not disrupted during maintenance.
How do you connect multiple tanks?
There are a couple of options for connecting multiple water storage tanks:
In parallel: There must be an equal flow manifold between the tanks to promote water circulation
In series: The inlet of the second tank must come from the bottom of the first tank to promote water circulation
What size/capacity should my tank be?
When sizing a water storage tank, knowing how long you need to store water is important.
For example, in a domestic scenario, it may only be 20 minutes of the peak flow rate. Whereas in a hospital, it may need to be hours or days of storage.
Discussing this with your client is best, as the tank size has considerable implications on the design and the building.
Once you know how long you need to store water, to determine the size of the tank, you can use the following formula:
Tank size (litres/gallons) = Peak flow rate (l/sec / gpm) x Minutes of storage
Tank size (litres/gallons) = Daily usage (litres/gallons) x Days of storage
For example, if your household uses 300 litres/gallons of water per day and wants to store enough water for three days, you would need a tank with 300 x 3 = 900 litres/gallons capacity.
Should the tank be connected to the BMS?
Connecting a water storage tank to a building management system (BMS) is a good idea in some scenarios.
A building management system (BMS) is a computer-based system that monitors and controls systems in a building.
Connecting a water storage tank to a BMS makes sense if the water supply is essential because you can install sensors to measure various aspects, such as the water level.
The BMS will then send warnings if the water levels get too high or low, highlighting the potential problem to you before it becomes a critical issue.
Including overflow pipes in a water storage tank is critical.
Overflow pipes allow excess water to be safely discharged from the tank if there is a fault and the water level gets too high, preventing the tank from causing damage or flooding.
The overflow pipe is installed higher than the tank’s inlet. When the water level in the tank rises above the level of the inlet pipe, the excess water flows out of the overflow pipe.
It’s crucial to ensure that the overflow pipes are correctly sized (based on the maximum incoming flow rate) and that they discharge to a visible area where overflowing water can be easily seen.
Suggested Reading: This article discusses calculating maximum (peak) flow rates.
How do you drain tanks?
Including (sludge) drains in a water storage tank is critical.
They are used to drain the tank during maintenance or repair scenarios.
These drains are located at the bottom of the tank and are used to drain the entire tank.
Water quality considerations?
There are a few key water quality considerations to keep in mind when storing water in a tank:
Contamination: It is crucial to prevent contaminants from entering the tank. This can be done by installing filters or screens on the inlet pipes, regularly cleaning and maintaining the tank, and avoiding locating contaminants (like non-potable water pipes) above the tank.
Algae growth: Algae can grow in water storage tanks, particularly in warm, sunny conditions. To prevent algae growth, ideally, you can locate the tank in an area where sunlight can’t reach the water.
Bacterial growth: Bacteria can grow in water storage tanks, mainly if the water is not circulated regularly. To prevent bacterial growth, it is recommended to design the inlet and outlet pipes on opposite sides. You can also use chemicals and install an ultraviolet (UV) light system to kill bacteria.
pH: It is crucial to maintain the pH of the water within a safe range (typically between 6.5 and 8.5). You can use chemicals such as sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid to adjust the pH.
It’s essential to regularly test the water in your storage tank to ensure it meets the appropriate quality standards.
How often should you clean a tank?
How often you should clean a water storage tank depends on a few factors, including the quality of the water being stored, the tank’s size, and the tank’s location.
It is generally a good idea to clean the tank at least once a year and more frequently if necessary.
How do you clean a water storage tank?
Here are a few steps you can follow to clean a water storage tank:
Drain the tank: The first step is to drain the tank completely
Clean the inside of the tank: Once the tank is empty, clean the inside of the tank
Disinfect the tank: After cleaning the inside, you need to disinfect it to kill bacteria or other contaminants
Flush the system: Once the tank is clean and disinfected, you must flush the system to remove any remaining debris or disinfectant
It’s essential to follow proper safety precautions when cleaning a water storage tank, including wearing protective clothing and using appropriate cleaning products.
How much space does my tank need?
Here are a few factors to consider when determining the space needed for a water storage tank:
Tank size: The size of the tank will be the main factor in determining the space required. Make sure to measure the area where you plan to install the tank to ensure it will fit with sufficient clearance around the tank for maintenance.
Tank shape: The shape of the tank can also affect the space required. For example, a round tank may require less space than a rectangular tank of the same capacity.
Tank location: If you plan to install the tank indoors, you will need to consider the height of the ceiling and the size of any doors or openings the tank will need to pass (unless it is a panel tank). If you plan to install the tank outdoors, you must consider the surrounding landscape and any structures or utilities that may be in the way.
Tank support: The tank will also need a foundation or other support to hold it in place. Make sure to allow for sufficient space for the support structure, as well as any equipment or piping that will be connected to the tank.
What are the access requirements?
There are a few essential access requirements to consider when installing a water storage tank:
Tank location: The location of the tank will be a key factor in determining access requirements. If the tank is located in a hard-to-reach area, you may need to provide access for maintenance and repair purposes. This could include installing a ladder or other access platform or creating a clear path to the tank.
Tank size: The size of the tank will also be a factor in determining access requirements. Larger tanks may require more space for access and maintenance purposes.
Tank features: The features of the tank, such as inlet and outlet valves, filters, and overflow pipes, will also need to be accessible for maintenance and repair purposes. Make sure to allow for sufficient space around these features for easy access.
Safety considerations: It’s essential to consider safety when providing access to a water storage tank. Install any necessary guards, handrails, or other safety features to prevent accidents.
Planning for tank access when it is designed rather than trying to retrofit access later is essential.
What are the structural requirements?
There are a few vital structural requirements to consider when installing a water storage tank:
Tank size: The size of the tank will be a key factor in determining the structural requirements. Larger tanks will be heavier (more water and materials) and require a more robust support structure to hold them in place.
Tank shape: The shape of the tank can also affect the structural requirements. For example, a round tank will require a different support structure than a rectangular tank.
Tank location: The location of the tank will also be a factor in determining the structural requirements. For example, a tank on the 20th level will require more support than a tank on the ground level.
Soil conditions: If the tank is inground, the soil conditions must also be considered. The tank may require additional support or stabilisation if the soil is unstable or prone to movement.
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