Healthcare environments need to offer reliable access to drinking water, but whether you should choose a mains fed or bottled water dispenser can vary depending on where it is installed and how it will be used.
In a quiet staff area, the priorities may be relatively straightforward. In a busy hospital waiting room, factors such as hygiene and capacity become far more important.
In this guide, we look at the key considerations when choosing between mains fed and bottled water dispensers for your healthcare facility.
Mains fed vs bottled water dispensers: what’s the difference?
Mains fed water dispensers
Mains fed water dispensers are connected directly to the building’s water supply. Once installed, they can provide a continuous supply of drinking water without the need for bottles to be delivered, stored or replaced.
Key features
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Plumbed into your healthcare facilities mains water supply
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Installation by professional engineers only
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Advanced filtration systems as standard
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Variety of dispense options available - ambient, chilled, hot, sparkling
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Typically larger upfront but potentially lower long-term costs
Bottled water dispensers
Bottled water dispensers use a replaceable bottle or container as their water source, meaning they can be installed in locations where connecting to the mains is impractical.
Key features
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No plumbing necessary - but most models will need to be plugged in to a wall outlet
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Rely on pre-filled plastic bottles to supply water
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Bottle capacity typically depends on the chosen model
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Rely on regular bottle deliveries and manual bottle changes
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Common dispense options include cold & ambient or hot & cold
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Mostly freestanding, but countertop models are available - see the CWS Avalanche Bottle Cooler
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Typically lower upfront but potentially higher long-term costs
If you’re ready to look at some options, you can browse both bottled and mains fed models in our range of water dispensers for healthcare facilities.
Key considerations when choosing between mains fed and bottled water dispensers for healthcare facilities
Hygiene and maintenance
Hygiene is understandably an important consideration wherever drinking water is provided in a healthcare environment.
Mains fed water dispensers can offer more advanced hygiene control options, depending on the model selected. For example, the CWS Aquality uses a KLARAN UVC LED shield to destroy 99.9%+ bacteria, viruses, and pathogens right before the water reaches the tap.
Features such as touchless dispensing via sensors (see the CWS Oasis PCP8EBF) can also help reduce physical contact with the mains fed dispenser, particularly helpful in patient-facing areas.
But both a mains fed and a bottled water dispenser for healthcare spaces will need appropriate cleaning and maintenance. The condition of the dispenser, the cleanliness of its dispensing points and the way it is serviced can all affect the hygiene and performance of the system.
Bottled dispensers also introduce additional handling. Bottles need to be stored, transported and replaced, and more contact can lead to higher levels of contamination if not factored into cleaning plans.
Mains fed dispensers remove the need for bottle handling, but they still require appropriate maintenance, including filter changes and regular cleaning where applicable.
If you’re interested in purchasing a water dispenser from CWS for your healthcare facility, see our flexible, hassle-free service and maintenance options.
Much of the time, the most appropriate solution is one that fits best into your healthcare facility's cleaning and maintenance procedures within budget.
Capacity and flow rate
The amount of water a dispenser needs to provide can vary considerably between healthcare locations. For instance, a water dispenser for a hospital waiting area will likely need a larger capacity and faster flow rate than one in a small staff room.
Mains fed dispensers can provide a continuous water supply, making them a practical choice for busy spaces that see significant foot traffic during peak times.
In contrast, bottled systems have a finite bottle capacity. Once the bottle is empty, it needs to be replaced, meaning staff need to monitor usage and ensure replacement bottles are available.
For a smaller healthcare facility or a lower-use area, this may not be an issue. In a large hospital waiting area, however, the additional management involved may make a mains fed system more practical.
Installation and space
The practicalities of installing a dispenser can often determine which option is most suitable.
A mains fed water dispenser needs access to an appropriate water supply and will require professional installation. This is relatively straightforward in some areas but can be more complicated in older buildings or locations where access to plumbing is restricted.
That said, complications don’t always mean installation is impossible. For instance, at CWS, our engineers have experience navigating confined spaces as part of the installation process.
Bottled dispensers can be more flexible in this respect. They do not require a direct connection to the mains water supply, which can make them useful where plumbing work would be impractical or disruptive.
However, bottled systems require space for the dispenser itself as well as replacement bottles. Consideration also needs to be given to how bottles will be delivered and moved around the building.
Appearance
When choosing between bottled and mains fed water dispensers for healthcare facilities, appearance can be an important factor, particularly in reception areas, waiting rooms and other patient-facing spaces.
Bottled water dispensers can work well in many healthcare environments, but mains fed models often offer a more streamlined appearance, which can be helpful if you’re trying to match your dispenser with a modern interior.
So, for example, in a private hospital, where the patient experience is treated similarly to a guest experience at a hotel, a mains fed model may be the better choice for the waiting room.
Mains fed vs bottled - Which is best for different healthcare environments?
With so many facility- and area-specific variables to factor in, it’s impossible to give a definitive answer on which type of water dispenser you should choose for a space. But below is our general advice, and if you’d like to browse some options, see our full range of healthcare-recommended water dispensers.
Waiting areas
In busy patient areas, a mains fed water dispenser may be particularly useful where there is a suitable water connection and a consistently high demand for drinking water.
The continuous supply can reduce the need for staff to monitor and replace bottles, while advanced hygiene features can be valuable in areas used by large numbers of potential sick or vulnerable people.
Reception
When a reception area is separate to the waiting area, a counter top bottled unit may be sufficient. With regular cleaning and maintenance, this can be a practical solution where demand is relatively low.
Staff rooms
In staff rooms and smaller areas, either option may be appropriate. Usage levels, available space and the convenience of installation are likely to be more important than the distinction between bottled and mains fed water itself.
In such areas, you may even find a dedicated water boiler is a more suitable choice, depending on your staff’s hydration habits. What matters here is a water solution that encourages staff to hydrate.
Related - Mental health crisis in the care sector: Why hydration matters
High risk areas (e.g. neonatal or oncology units in hospitals)
It may be that a risk assessment reveals that it’s not viable to introduce a water dispenser within or near your high risk areas.
Where water dispensers are considered appropriate, a mains fed unit may offer advantages because it removes the need for regular bottle handling, and, with the right model, hygiene can be prioritised.
However, the suitability of any dispenser in a high-risk clinical area should be determined through the appropriate local risk assessment and infection-control procedures.
Find the right water dispenser for your healthcare facility with CWS
We hope this guide has helped you in your decision making, but if you need any further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you need a bit of advice or would like to organise a site assessment, our team can help you find the best water dispensers for the visitors and staff at your healthcare facility.
