Loma Linda, CA — Water from commercial dispensers at workplaces could contain more bacteria than tap water if machines aren’t properly maintained, results of a recent study suggest.
Researchers at Loma Linda University reviewed 70 studies that analyzed water nozzles and spigots on commercial water dispensers. Several of those studies determined that bacterial growth formed within a few days of disinfection, a time frame “far sooner than previously thought,” a university press release states.
Although commercial dispensers are frequently viewed as a healthier and safer choice given their filtration capabilities, those benefits subside if internal system lines and dispensing outlets aren’t disinfected every two to four weeks, the researchers found.
“Filtering out residual chlorine that’s in water makes an ideal situation for bacteria to grow,” Ryan Sinclair, study supervising investigator and environmental biology professor at the university’s School of Public Health, said in the release. “You’ve got to clean the tubes and change the filters regularly.”
The study concludes: “This review underscores the potential public health risks associated with water dispenser use and highlights the need for increased vigilance, regular maintenance and further research to ensure the safety of dispensed water.”
The study was published in the journal AIMS Microbiology.
