Why you and I need water to stay hydrated
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” — W. H. Auden
Many of us work long hours from home or at a workplace and fatigue – both physical and mental – can quickly set in. Modern life is demanding, but workplaces have realised in recent years that to prevent spiralling costs from short-term and long-term absence, they need to look after their employees.
In the old days of the 70s, for example, many employees stayed with a company for years and decades and were remunerated with bonuses, company cars and pay rises.
You would never walk into an office or workshop 50 years ago, or even 30 years ago, and see water-coolers for staff and visitors to use.
They’re common now though and for good reasons.
Water helps us all to:
- Maintain concentration
- Increase energy levels
- Suppresses snacking and helps with weight control
- Decreases levels of stress
- Helps with reducing headaches and migraines
- Improves mood
- Saves money for employees
You may be thinking, yes, yes, we know all this, but is your agenda biased because we sell water-coolers.
Well, yes and no.
Taken from a scientific perspective, it’s worth noting (if you like stats) that adult humans are made up of 60% water and that blood is actually 90% water. Its consumption is vital for functioning of organs like kidneys and that blood carries oxygen around the body. Water aids digestion, improves skin condition and replaces the water lost when exercising and even breathing.
There’s no fixed recommendations for the amount of water we should drink daily, but according to a recent survey, water consumption is low:
- 7 percent of adults reported no daily consumption of drinking water
- 36 percent of adults reported drinking 1-3 cups of drinking water a day
- 35 percent of adults reported drinking 4-7 cups of drinking water a day
- 22 percent of adults reported drinking 8 cups or more a day
Do I need to provide drinking water?
Supplying water at work is actually enshrined too in law, by the HSE
Yes. The law requires that you provide drinking water and ensure that: it is free from contamination and is preferably from the public water supply -bottled water dispensers are acceptable as a secondary supply; it is easily accessible by all employees; there are adequate supplies taking into consideration the temperature of the working environment and types of work activity; cups or a drinking fountain are provided. Drinking water does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of people drinking non-drinking water.
We offer a vast range of water solutions for your business – from sophisticated coolers with large bottles that self-sanitise with ambient or cold water, to machines that are plumbed in and filter and cool water for your staff and visitors. You can choose between freestanding floor machines or counter-top ones where space is at a premium. You can even have water-coolers that supply hot water, meaning time-constrained staff can make a hot drink without queuing and waiting for a kettle to boil.
We’ve been supplying drinks to workplaces since 1998 – so if you want to know how we can hydrate your team and your visitors efficiently and cost-effectively, get in touch today!
