by Fern Shaw | Nov 19, 2025 | Africa Trust, aquaid, Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
In the UK, it’s easy to take toilets and clean water for granted. Most of us rarely stop to think about what life would look like without the privacy, hygiene and safety that proper sanitation provides. But for billions of people around the world, a reliable toilet is far from guaranteed. That’s exactly why World Toilet Day continues to be so important.
This year’s theme, Sanitation for Peace, reminds us that safe sanitation is closely tied to stability, health and equality. When people don’t have access to hygienic facilities, the results can be devastating: increased disease, contaminated water sources and a loss of safety and dignity – particularly for women and children. Diarrhoea remains one of the leading causes of death for children under five in developing countries, largely due to poor sanitation and hygiene. And around 1 in 8 people worldwide still practise open defecation every day.
But progress doesn’t always require complex technology. Sometimes, the most effective solutions are simple, well-designed and community driven. One example is the Elephant Toilet, created by The Africa Trust, an AquAid founded charity working across sub-Saharan Africa. This eco-friendly VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrine uses minimal water, is built with local materials and skills, and provides a safe, clean and long-lasting sanitation option for rural communities. The design was recognised with the St Andrews Prize for the Environment for its ingenuity and effectiveness.
What makes the Elephant Toilet especially powerful is the way communities are involved. The Africa Trust provides training and materials – such as cement for the slabs – so local people can build and maintain their own facilities. This creates ownership, resilience and long-term benefits long after the initial construction is complete.
World Toilet Day is a reminder that sanitation is a foundation for health, dignity and opportunity. By supporting practical solutions and investing in sustainable systems, we can help ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to something as basic – and as vital – as a safe toilet.
These are just a few reasons why AquAid is proud to support The Africa Trust. To date, over 1000,000 Elephant Toilets have been built, benefitting more than two million people. Since the beginning, The Africa Trust, along with AquAid, have understood how essential good sanitation is – not just for health, but for creating safer, stronger and more resilient communities.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 13, 2025 | bottle fed water coolers, touch free water coolers, water cooler, Water Coolers
Why Water Cooler Maintenance Matters
A clean water cooler isn’t just about appearance – it’s about safety and wellbeing. Regular cleaning helps prevent bacteria, maintain water quality and extend the life of your dispenser. Here’s a simple five-step checklist to help you keep your water fresh and your workplace healthy.
- How Often Should You Sanitise Your Water Cooler?
Aim to conduct water cooler sanitation every few weeks. This prevents the build-up of bacteria, mould and algae that can affect both taste and safety.
Quick tips:
- Wipe down taps and outer surfaces weekly with a food-safe disinfectant.
- Avoid harsh chemicals – they can leave residues.
- Always wash your hands before refilling or touching the dispenser.
If you want to reduce touchpoints altogether, consider a touch free water cooler for added hygiene.
- What’s the Best Way to Maintain Water Dispenser Hygiene?
Water dispenser hygiene includes cleaning both visible and hidden parts.
- Empty and clean the drip tray daily.
- Rinse removable components with mild detergent and warm water.
- Let all parts air dry before reassembling.
These quick actions keep your dispenser hygienic and safe for daily use.
- How to Prevent Bacteria in Your Cooler
To prevent bacteria in your cooler, avoid positioning it in direct sunlight or near heat sources – warmth encourages microbial growth.
Best practice:
- Position your bottle fed water cooler in a shaded, well-ventilated area.
- Always use sealed water bottles from trusted suppliers such as AquAid.
- Replace bottles promptly and avoid leaving a part-used bottle on the cooler for extended periods.
Correct positioning and handling help ensure your water remains consistently fresh.
- Why a Monthly Cleaning Guide Helps
Although AquAid services its coolers as part of every rental agreement – every six months for mains-fed units and every three months for bottle-fed models – regular light cleaning between services is still recommended.
A monthly cleaning guide helps your team keep the dispenser hygienic between professional visits.
Checklist idea:
- Wipe down external surfaces regularly.
- Keep drip trays empty and clean.
- Ensure bottles are changed promptly and correctly.
These simple actions help maintain water freshness between AquAid’s scheduled service visits.
- When to Rely on AquAid’s Professional Maintenance
One of the benefits of installing a water dispenser from AquAid is knowing it will always be professionally maintained. Our engineers automatically service mains-fed water coolers every six months and bottle-fed coolers every three months – including full internal sanitation and filter changes.
If you’re an AquAid customer and need support between service visits, contact AquAid for expert advice.
Key Takeaway: Simple Steps for Lasting Freshness
Keeping your office water safe is straightforward when you follow these steps to keep your water fresh:
- Sanitise regularly.
- Maintain internal hygiene.
- Position your cooler correctly.
- Clean lightly between AquAid service visits.
- Rely on AquAid’s scheduled professional maintenance.
A clean water cooler means healthier staff, better-tasting water, and peace of mind – all with minimal effort.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 10, 2025 | Water Boilers, water cooler, water cooler, water dispenser
In today’s busy work environment, efficiency, convenience and employee wellbeing are key.
Installing a water dispenser or water cooler may appear to be a small change, but the benefits to workspaces, be they offices, warehouses or worksites, are far-reaching. From reducing wasted time to lowering running costs and maintaining excellent hygiene, a water dispenser offers much more than just refreshment.
Boosting Productivity and Saving Time
A water cooler can make a real difference to daily routines. Rather than waiting for the kettle to boil several times a day, employees can instantly access hot or cold water. This not only saves valuable minutes but also helps reduce bottlenecks in shared kitchen areas. Those minutes quickly add up to greater focus and smoother workflow across the team.
Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency
Running costs matter to every business. Kettles and traditional hot drink setups use considerably more electricity than a mains-fed water dispenser or hot water boiler. Switching to a water cooler can reduce energy usage and, in turn, lower bills. It’s a simple step that supports sustainability targets while delivering noticeable savings over time.
Convenience and Consistency at Work
From open-plan offices to manufacturing floors, having a constant supply of fresh water on hand keeps things running smoothly. A mains-fed cooler provides uninterrupted service, meaning no downtime for refilling or waiting. For workplaces with larger teams, that reliability keeps everyone hydrated and operations efficient.
Professionally Maintained for Peace of Mind
Hygiene is essential in any shared workspace. Regular servicing and sanitisation ensure clean, safe water and extend the lifespan of the water dispenser. AquAid service all mains-fed water dispensers every six months and all bottle-fed coolers every three months – with these services being performed by their WHA accredited engineers. That professional care gives businesses confidence in both quality and compliance.
A Small Change with Lasting Benefits
A water dispenser is a simple upgrade that delivers practical and long-term benefits – saving time, cutting costs and improving the workplace environment for everyone.
by Fern Shaw | Oct 29, 2025 | water cooler, Water Coolers
There’s no shortage of chatter about the water cooler. It’s earned a spot in everyday language – from the ubiquitous ‘water cooler chats’ to those quick catchups where someone says, “See you at the water cooler in ten.” Sure, it’s where you refill your water bottle, but it’s also where ideas are shared, there’s likely a bit of banter, jokes may be told and workmates connect for a few much-needed minutes away from their desks.
And who knows – somewhere out there, there may be a guru meditating next to a water cooler, ready to share a pearl of wisdom with anyone stopping by for a refill.
Water Cooler Wisdom: Breaks Make You Better
Let’s clear something up – taking a break doesn’t make you lazy. Quite the opposite. Studies have shown that short breaks during the day actually boost productivity, creativity and focus. It’s the workplace version of a power nap, except with water instead of a pillow.
When you take a few minutes to refill your water bottle or glass, you’re not just giving your mind a breather – you’re rehydrating your brain. And a well-hydrated brain is sharper, quicker and far better at remembering things (like where you left your water bottle).
Water Cooler Reflections: Which Type Are You?
So, which are you – the full-throttle workaholic who powers through the day without looking up, or the balanced pro who knows a quick water break can work wonders?
Whatever your style, having a water cooler nearby can make all the difference. It’s a small but mighty workplace upgrade – good for your body, your focus and even your team spirit.
Water Cooler Action: Time to Call AquAid
If your workspace doesn’t yet have a water cooler, now’s the perfect time to change that. At AquAid, we provide a wide range of office water coolers and hydration solutions to suit every workplace – whether you’re a small office, a busy warehouse, or a large corporate environment.
We’d love to help you find the perfect fit.
📞 Call us: 0800 772 3003
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Stay refreshed, stay productive and keep those water cooler conversations flowing.
by Fern Shaw | Oct 27, 2025 | Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
You’d think it would be simple, right? Water is just two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. So why can’t we just mix them together and end the world’s water shortages once and for all?
Well, as it turns out, that’s where things get a little … explosive.
The Science Bit (Without the Headache)
To create water, you need both hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Mixing them together, however, doesn’t magically make water – you just end up with a room full of flammable gas and some nervous scientists.
For hydrogen and oxygen to truly bond, their electrons need to link up. And that requires a sudden burst of energy, basically a spark, to get the atoms to ‘hook up’.
Sounds easy enough, but here’s the problem: hydrogen is highly flammable and oxygen feeds fire. Put them together and one tiny spark later – boom! You get water … and possibly an impressive fireball.
So, What’s the Alternative?
Not to worry, there’s no need to start mixing gases in the office kitchen to stay hydrated. There are brilliant minds out there working on safer, sustainable ways to generate water.
For now, if you’re after a reliable and constant source of water that doesn’t go ‘boom’ when you drink it, speak to us at AquAid.
Safe, Healthy Hydration
Explore our range of water coolers, hot water boilers and water fountains – the perfect solution for all your drinking water needs – for offices, worksites, schools, hotels and anywhere else you’d rather keep things calm, cool and well hydrated.
Not sure which water cooler suits your needs? Contact us at AquAid where one of our friendly team will be happy to help you find the perfect fit.
Just one note – our water coolers aren’t designed for scientific experiments. Best leave that to the professionals!
