Do Employers Have To Supply Drinking Water?

In the UK, there is a legal requirement for you to supply drinking water to your employees, this falls under The Workplace Regulations 1992 of Health, Safety and Welfare. Stating that all UK employees should provide ‘wholesale’ drinking water to all staff no matter their workplace.

It also states that every supply of drinking water in the workplace should be ready, accessible in suitable places and provide clean and free-from-contamination water. You must also provide either disposable, washable cups or glasses for employees to use freely.

You also have a responsibility to clean and maintain the drinking water facilities in the workplace to make sure they are in good working order. As well as providing hygienic areas for drinking water consumption, sinks and clear signage of the location of these facilities.

While tap water is safe to drink in the UK and is clean, certain minerals are likely to be found within it. Despite it being mostly safe, we don’t recommend letting your employees drink tap water just because it’s not readily accessible, in a suitable place, and there are usually limited taps i.e., in the kitchen or bathrooms.

Instead, we would suggest choosing water dispensers. These can be placed conveniently around the workplace for employees to use. Employees can then enjoy fresh, clean and safe water free from any impurities or bacteria with its filtration system. Our BRITA VIVREAU dispensers are mains-fed, meaning they’re installed into your water system, providing unlimited water supply. With more sustainable and less plastic usage, you also don’t have to worry about buying or replacing plastic bottles.

Related: What Are The Benefits Of Water Dispensers In Your Office?

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From freestanding dispensers to install in any space, to countertop dispensers or taps for convenience there is a wide range of options to choose from. And you can even opt for a hot and cold dispenser or a sparkling water dispenser. Either for employees wanting a refreshing drink, making brew rounds, or serving customers their drink in the hospitality sector.

Even better, you can provide your employees with our BRITA bottles which are reusable and provide them with a sustainable hydration solution. You can also personalise with your brand’s logo or brand messaging. 

Read More: What To Consider When Choosing An Office Water Dispenser

Whether you are an employer wanting to know the law, or an employee wondering if your employer can prevent you from drinking water at work, it is a legal and basic human right.

Employers should be providing safe and clean drinking water, either through bottled water, fountains, or water dispensers. They should regularly inspect it to make sure they are clean and in good working condition. As well as ensuring staff well-being and health, drinking water at work promotes productivity and should be taken seriously by employers. That and making sure that staff needs are catered to and the health and safety rules of toilet facilities, ventilation and temperature control are also adhered to.

At BRITA we understand that providing your staff with clean drinking water is an important duty, not only by requirements but also to stay healthy and hydrated during the day. Our water dispensers offer clean, always filtered and a variety of water types. Plumbed into your water supply, with the option to rent or buy with added installation and maintenance packages, take a look at our BRITA dispensers today and get in touch with a quote.