Why bottle filling stations are here to stay

Historically, traditional public drinking fountains have received a bad reputation due to lack of upgrades, poor features and uncleanliness. In the past few years, consumers have also become increasingly concerned with hygiene and the spread of germs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For assurance and trust in the drinking water they’re consuming, many have reached towards plastic, disposable water bottles to stay hydrated. But this habit has led to an astronomical waste problem of single-use plastic ending up in landfills and having a negative impact on the environment (Beyond Plastics). In fact, humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total and approximately 91% of that plastic is not recycled, ending up in our earth’s landfills and oceans (LARQ).

With the concern of hygiene top of mind while trying to balance ways to be sustainably conscious in doing so, many are conflicted in finding a better way to access hydration. The solution? Bottle filling stations.

One of the best ways to encourage access to clean drinking water and hydration is by replacing old-school drinking fountains and installing bottle filling stations in public facilities like airports, schools and other public spaces, and encouraging the use of reusable water bottles. Key facility leaders and decision makers have the power to enact real change in high-touch public areas such as these.

Elkay Manufacturing’s ezH2O Bottle Filling Stations offer a hygienic way to hydrate with cleaner drinking water while reducing single-use plastic waste. This innovative and award-winning product line upholds Elkay’s commitment to delivering clean water and sustainable design.

A more sanitary way to hydrate

As hygiene and the spread of germs are regularly top of mind for industry professionals and consumers alike, Elkay’s ezH2O bottle filling stations feature several key filtration and sanitary elements, ensuring clean, healthy water with every sip.

• Engineered for performance and made with activated carbon to improve taste and odor, Elkay’s bottle filling stations have NSF/ANSI 42 and 43 tested and certified filters that put healthier, cleaner water within reach by reducing lead and other contaminants. The units also include filter status lights that indicate when the filter needs changing and with a filter life of up to a year, facility managers and end-users won’t have to worry about constantly replacing;
• The units also feature hands-free, sanitary operation. The touchless, sensor-activated bottle filler is designed for easy use, so users won’t need to worry about touching the unit as there’s no need to hold the bottle; just place, fill and hydrate; and
• Additionally, key plastic components on the unit have a special silver ion antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.

A more sustainable way to hydrate

In order to do better for our environment and reduce the amount of single use plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans, Elkay’s bottle filling stations also include many significant components that encourage users to reduce the amount of plastic waste they produce.

• The units include an exclusive green ticker that tells users the number of 20-ounce, disposable plastic water bottles that have been saved from waste by using refillable bottles at the bottle filling station. Elkay’s bottle filling stations have saved more than 40 billion plastic bottles from going to landfills through commercial solutions alone, since the launch of the ezH2O Bottle Filling Stations ten years ago;
• The units also feature laminar flow for smooth, quick bottle filling with minimal splashing, and have auto shut-off that prevents accidental spills, reducing the amount of water wasted. Also, green cooler combos include a water-efficient bubbler and refrigeration that can be powered off to save energy when not in use; and
• Enhanced ezH2O units use an LED light, which has a long lifespan, uses less voltage and emits almost no heat or UV.

Additional features

Elkay’s original ezH2O bottle filling stations offer the features and benefits that users have come to expect in all bottle filling stations.

• The unit features a drain underneath the bottle filler to collect runoff and prevent standing water. Users can also expect a quick bottle fill with a fill rate of 1.1 gpm for refrigerated units and 1.5 gpm for non-refrigerated units;
• For high-traffic applications, such as education facilities or indoor recreation areas, Elkay also offers vandal-resistant units with full stainless-steel construction that is not only durable but also easy to clean, and a push-button activated bottle filling station for quick, easy use; and
• Custom and specialty options are also available for contractors and facility managers with specific needs that fall outside of Elkay’s standard offerings, which can be tailored to unique specifications, including ezH2O nameplate customization, creating a final water delivery that exceeds expectations.

Elkay’s expansive portfolio of drinking water products is designed to provide cleaner, healthier hydration. When it comes to hygienic, sustainable hydration, whether on the go or at home, Elkay is a name that industry professionals and consumers can trust.

Learn more about Elkay’s bottle filling stations at elkay.com and be sure to check out Elkay on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.