| What is a Drinking Water Fountain? | | | | prohibitive, in addition to this it isn't desirable for |
| Water Fountains also known as Drinking Water | | | | delivery people to be regularly dropping off bottles |
| Fountains are designed to provide drinking water | | | | within the school grounds. The bottles also tend to |
| in much the same way as the more familiar | | | | take up room and use up valuable storage space |
| water cooler. Connected to the mains water | | | | which is at a premium in any school. The benefits |
| supply Water Fountains have a basin arrangement | | | | of plumbed in water systems to schools include: |
| with a Tap or Bubbler that dispenses either | | | | » A constant supply of water when and |
| continuously running water or water on demand. | | | | where your pupils and staff need it |
| Popular in areas of high usage such as sports | | | | » No need to change heavy bottles |
| centres, colleges and schools the fountains are | | | | » No bottle delivery |
| typically made from stainless steel and may | | | | » No need to store the bottles |
| incorporate carbon filters to remove taste and | | | | » Substantial savings on the cost of running |
| bad odours from the mains water, they may also | | | | a bottle fed system |
| include a chilling system to reduce the water | | | | All water systems including bottled systems |
| temperature. | | | | require some maintenance in terms of regular |
| All water fountains are fitted with some type of | | | | sanitisation and filter changes. Plumbed in units |
| waste system which either allows gravity to get | | | | such as fountains also require installation but this is |
| rid of the superfluous water, or a pumped waste | | | | relatively simple for anyone with good DIY skills, |
| system which may be used when the fountain is | | | | and as all schools have a Caretaker on staff to |
| situated some way from adequate drainage. | | | | install and maintain the machine it would seem |
| What are the Benefits of a Water Fountain over | | | | sensible to opt for this type of system over a |
| a Bottled Water Cooler? | | | | bottled cooler where possible. |
| With their basins, waste systems and robust | | | | There are a growing number of websites that |
| stainless steel bodywork Water Fountains are | | | | offer water fountains for sale rather than as a |
| ideal for high usage areas such as corridors in | | | | rental only option. Direct purchase is preferable to |
| schools and sports centres. | | | | those schools who don't want to be tied into an |
| Although the systems can be perceived as being | | | | onerous rental contract that require continual |
| unattractive when compared to some bottled | | | | monthly payments. |
| water coolers or plumbed in machines the | | | | Should I choose a Freestanding Fountain a Wall |
| systems themselves are very functional, they do | | | | Mounted Fountain or a Sink? |
| not require bottled delivery or even much | | | | Most fountains today are available as either |
| maintenance and may be left unsupervised as | | | | freestanding or wall mounted units, they both |
| they are robust enough to handle some misuse. | | | | work in the same way as each other but |
| Most Drinking Fountains today are fitted with a | | | | capacities may vary between the two types of |
| carbon based filter and a coil on coil chilling system | | | | system. Some websites also stock stainless steel |
| allowing the system to dispense a continuous | | | | bubbler sinks which are ideal if you are on a |
| supply of fresh tasting chilled water, something | | | | limited budget as they have no chilling system, |
| that most water coolers are unable to achieve as | | | | they also require no maintenance other than an |
| these machines tend to be fed from a tank. | | | | occasional clean. |
| Most fountains can dispense up to 25 litres of | | | | Some schools may require a shorter wall |
| chilled water per hour those systems with a | | | | mounted unit but site it on the floor to ensure |
| pumped waste system can (because of the | | | | that small children can access the water. |
| higher disposal capacity) dispenses up to 50 litres | | | | If you want the cheapest possible fountain that |
| of chilled water per hour. | | | | requires no maintenance other than an occasional |
| Why Drinking Water Fountains are the best choice | | | | clean you can opt for a wall mounted stainless |
| for Schools | | | | steel sink. |
| Recent research has shown that children aren't | | | | Can I Install a Water Fountain Outside? |
| drinking enough water at school as access to | | | | Lots of people ask about fitting a drinking water |
| water in schools is often quite poor. Water can | | | | fountain outside and while this can be possible we |
| help prevent the tiredness and irritability often | | | | would never recommend that you do this with a |
| associated with dehydration and can improve a | | | | normal fountain fitted with a chilling system. Many |
| pupils concentration levels. The answer in many | | | | manufacturers are now constructing machines |
| cases is to provide your school with water | | | | that don't chill the water and also there are a |
| fountains or some type of water cooler. | | | | range of wall mounted sinks which are ideal for |
| Bottled water coolers are not the best choice for | | | | outdoor use. |
| schools as the cost of the bottled delivery is | | | | |