Where does the water come from ?

Water has been here on earth for millions of years. Because of the hydrologic cycle, water moves from the earth to air to the earth again.

Our water is taken from two protected spring sources known as aquifers which are underground formations from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. The water must be collected only at the source or through a borehole tapping into the underground formation.

Bottles

1. What are the bottles made of ?
The bottles are made of food grade recyclable polycarbonate material.
2. How Durable are the bottles?
They are extremely durable, but are weakened when dropped, so avoid throwing bottles at anytime.
3. How are the bottles cleaned?
Bottles are washed and sanitized through our four-stage automatic hot bottle washing machine. The initial washing stage uses a restaurant-grade, non-toxic detergent in steaming water to spray the bottles clean. Next, the bottles receive two sanitising rinses to kill any bacteria that might be present. The final rinse uses chlorinated water to remove any residual sanitiser. The bottles are then automatically placed on a conveyer belt where they are taken to a filling station to be filled. Lastly, a cap is automatically placed on the bottle.
4. What is the best way to carry a full bottle of water?
With a Bottle-Mate water bottle handle available through Water at Work Water Ltd. (request our B.W.C.A. leaflet).
5. Why should I not leave the bottle in direct sunlight?
The protective blue tint of the bottle may fade, allowing the sun's ultra-violet rays to penetrate the water, promoting the growth of algae.
6. What should I do if my bottle is leaking?
Remove the bottle from cooler and label it as "leaking". Water at Work Water Ltd will replace the bottle free of charge.
7. If the water freezes in the bottle, will it break?
Usually food grade polycarbonate will with stand the pressure of freezing, but there is a possibility of cracking.
8. What happens if I lose a bottle?
Bottle deposits are refundable and the customer always gets their money back when the bottle is returned. If it is not returned you will be charged.
9. How many 7ounce glasses are in a 18.5 litre bottle?
92 7-ounce glasses.


Installation

1. Should I plug the cooler in before or after I apply the water bottle?
Plug the cooler in after the water has been applied. Make sure the water flows freely through all taps before plugging in the cooler. It is extremely important that the water is running through the hot taps to avoid burning out the boiler. If the cooler is unplugged to be moved to a new location, wait five minutes before plugging in at the new site.

Trouble Shooting

1. My Cooler is making a strange noise?
Something might have happened when the cooler was moved, or the cooler's motor has kicked in to cool the water. Make sure cooler is on an even surface.
2. There is water in the bottle but I can't seem to get any water out?
The water could be frozen in the reservoir and is, therefore, blocking the passage of water. Unplug the cooler, allowing the water to thaw. Adjust the temperature by turning the screw on the back of the cooler counter-clockwise (1/4 turn at a time) and then wait a few hours. If this doesn't remedy the situation, we will either replace the cooler or fix the thermostat.
3.Why is my cooler leaking, and what should I do?
Take the bottle off the cooler and empty the resevoir. The majority of leaks are caused by pin-holes in the bottle. If this is the case, call Water at Work for a replacement bottle. We will repair or replace the cooler if required.

Maintenance

At Water at Work we strive to make sure all your needs are looked after. If at any time you feel the need to call and ask questions. Call and our friendly Customer Service department who will gladly help you.

1. Is it possible to adjust the water temperature? Yes
You can adjust the cold water temperature by turning the screw on the back of the cooler clockwise (for less cold water) or counter-clockwise (for warmer water) and then wait a few hours. This should remedy the situation but feel free to call our office and we'll gladly take care of you. If the water is not hot at all, check your power source (which may be controlled by a light switch that has been accidentally turned off). If the water is cold in the morning but heats up during the day, this might be an indication that the power in the office went out during the night. If it's not hot enough, the hot water temperature is factory set a 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. My cooler is dirty, do you clean it? Yes
A dispenser should be cleaned every three months. Our office would be pleased to help you with the procedure. If you would like our professional cooler maintenance team to clean your cooler for a minimal charge please call our office and we'd be glad to help. The cooler's reservoir should be flushed, cleaned and sanitized on a quarterly basis. The location of the cooler and the amount of water used are to be taken into consideration. Under ideal sanitary conditions (homes, offices, etc.) every 3months should be adequate. More frequent cleaning should take place with coolers located in environments that are less than ideal (i.e. in manufacturing/industrial areas, and in some open public places). When cleaning and sanitizing is required, it is more convenient to do it when an empty bottle needs replacing.

Damage

1. Will I be responsible for damage to the rental equipment or for lost bottles?
For damage to the cooler that is not caused by defective equipment the customer is responsible. Every situation is different so please call the customer service department and we'll look after your situation. The bottle deposits are refundable and the customer will receive the credit when the bottles are returned.

Relocation

2. Is it all right to move my dispenser to my new home or office?
Yes, but you must notify the office of your new address first. Always keep your cooler upright when moving it. The hot and cold coolers must have water running through the taps before being plugged in.

Insurance

3. Will my home insurance cover the cooler?
Your home insurance should cover the cost of damage or a lost cooler. Each policy is different so it is best to check with your agent. Please call us and we'd glad to help you out or lead you in the right direction.

Can I use another companies water with your dispenser?  

No. Water at Work cannot ensure the purity of another company's water. We like to be certain that only our water is used in our coolers. It would also be un-ethical under the trade description act.

Technical Talk

Groundwater Water that sits below earth's surface and is not contained in a confined aquifer.
Hardness A measurement of calcium and magnesium.
Inorganic Chemicals Minerals and mineral compounds including calcium, sodium, fluoride, lead, sulphate, chloride, gold, uranium and iron.
Nitrate A common impurity in ground and surface waters. Sources can include fertilizers and natural sources in soils. High levels can be toxic. Nitrate has been shown to cause poisoning in infants. ("Baby Blue") Organics Chemicals including petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and chemicals from decaying plants and animals.
Ozone An unstable form of oxygen that is very effective in destroying bacteria in water and is the only known sterilizing agent that kills cryptosporidium; leaves no harmful residue. Ozone has a life span of hours.
Parts per Million (ppm) Also equivalent to milligrams per litre (mg/l); a measurement of weight, usually used in expressing amounts of minerals in water.
pH Represented by a number describing the degree of alkalinity or acidity of a solution: pH of 7 is neutral. pH of 0 to 7 is acid. pH of 7 to 14 is alkaline. Most drinking waters range in pH from 6 to 9.
Purified Water Processed through deionisation, distillation, reverse osmosis, or other suitable methods to produce a pure quality water that is essentially free of dissolved solids or minerals.
Reverse Osmosis A process to reduce mineral, metal and other dissolved solids in water by forcing the water through a semi-permeable membrane.
Semi-Permeable Membrane A material that allows only water (primarily) through it, leaving most minerals on the outer surface.
Sodium A common ion found in most water except purified. High intake has been associated with high blood pressure in some persons.
Sodium Free Water containing less than 5mg. per 8oz. serving or less than 10 parts per million (ppm) or mg/l.
Soft Water Water low in calcium and magnesium.
Surface Water Water collected as rain and snow run off, and ground water seepage, and collected in reservoirs, lakes and rivers.
Turbidity Undissolved materials that are present in water, causing it to be cloudy (from organic matter or clay particles). During a heavy rainfall, a great deal of soil will flow into the water source (the watershed).