Do you know what kind of water you are getting from UK bottled water suppliers? You might want to ask them where the water originated from. Less reputable vendors simply run ordinary public tap water through a filtration process and try to pass it off natural spring water. Others may say that their product is mineral water. The bottom line is the water's source is a good indicator of the taste and quality of the water. You want the best for your office or workplace.

The Best Scenario

Knowing exactly where the water comes from is a huge plus. For instance, there are several natural aquifers in the UK that provide excellent quality drinking water. The boreholes drilled to gain access to the groundwater far beneath the surface are protected from contamination from the soil and other environmental factors. In addition, the location of the aquifers influences the mineral content of the water.

Choose a vendor from the many UK bottled water suppliers that adhere to the strictest of food safety and hygienic criteria set forth in the Water Regulations Act in 2007 which appointed the standards for spring water, natural mineral water and bottled drinking water. Also, the water vendors should be members of the British Water Cooler Association as this entity independently audits facilities to ensure the highest standards are followed in the handling of the water. Membership in other bottled water and drinking water governing entities is ideal as well.

The Worst Scenario

If you choose a supplier of bottled water for your office or workplace strictly by price or without checking for their adherence to quality standards, you could be setting yourself up for not only disappointment but also potential illness. Not all water bottlers strictly follow the Water Regulations Act. Some contamination, usually from different strains of bacteria, may occur in your bottled water causing a variety of illnesses. Typically gastro-intestinal in nature, these illnesses could be potentially dangerous in people with compromised immune systems.

At the very least, in your worst case scenario, you could end up paying for bottled public water, something your company could get easily by opening the tap. Some disreputable water vendors simply filter public tap water and claim it to be spring water or mineral water. While the water may be safe to drink and taste fine, why pay for something you are not actually receiving?

As with any important purchase, it pays to do a little research into the bottled water suppliers in your area. By verifying their adherence to quality standards, you can safely enjoy your bottled drinking water in the workplace.