SLIDE 14 Kelly Offjce Solutions 163 South Stratford Road Winston-Salem, NC 27103 Phone: (336) 725-2566 Fax: (336) 725-7027 Toll-Free: 1-800-34-KELLY (53559) kellyoffjcesolutions.com
Studies show water coolers should be sanitized regularly.
When was the last time your cooler was cleaned?
“It was found that 36 [of 50] and 28% of water dispenser samples from the residences and the workplaces, were contaminated by at least one coliform or indicator bacterium and/or at least one pathogenic bacterium. Cleaning the water dispenser every 2 months seemed to limit the extent of contamination.”
Listed in: American Society for Microbiology’s Comparison of the Microbiological Quality of Water Coolers and That of Municipal Water Systems research study
“Many coolers may be harboring unhealthful high levels of bacteria that can cause nausea and diarrhea in some people. When scientists checked the bacterial count of water from 10 water coolers on the campus of Boston’s Northeastern University, they found that in each case the count reached at least 2,000 potentially harmful organisms for every thousandth of a liter of water, or four times the 500-organism limit the government recommends. It appears that the organisms from each new bottle of water adhere to a cooler’s reservoir – the “well” in which the bottle sits – and also to its hot and cold water spigots, accumulating over time and thereby boosting the bacterial count of any water that passes through those areas on the way to a cup or glass.”
Listed in: Tufgs University Diet & Nutrition Bacteria in the Cooler, 1992
“The goal of this procedure is to provide a uniform protocol to con- trol microbiological contamination in water coolers. Clean your bottled-water dispenser with every bottle change or every six weeks, whichever comes fjrst.”
Listed in: Safety and Health Services Division, Recommendations for Periodic Cleaning of Water Coolers
“Federal laws set stringent national standards for bottled water. Keep the open bottle clean and preferably refrigerated as the water, cap and cap liner can all support bacterial growth which may originate from the mouth or the environment. In the case of 18L bottles used with a dispenser, clean water coolers regularly … Clean your bottled water cooler before every bottle change, drain water … use a disinfecting solution.”
Listed in Health Canada’s Food Safety Website