Water Vending Machines

May Not Be Safe

Many people concerned about the quality of tap drinking water buy Drinking Water from a Water Vending Machine. Water Vending Machines provide Drinking Water Consumers with a inexpensive option to purchasing bottled water or the up front costs of Water Purification Equipment.

Many grocery stores and other retailers sell filtered tap water or have a Water Vending Machine inside or outside the store. The quality of water from these uncontrolled Water Vending Machines is often an unknown question.

Two Types Of Water Vending

One water vending method is the stand-alone Water Vending Machines located in high-traffic areas such as grocery stores.

The other method of water vending is from a Water Vending Stores. most of theses water stores offer Drinking Water other water quality products.

One of the main differences is that water machines located in a Water Store offer consumers the opportunity to ask the store personel questions about the quality of the water they are buying.

University Of Arizona Study

A University of Arizona study completed in 1996 found bacteria in one out of four machines tested. None of the bacteria that were found cause dangerous infections.

California Department of Health Services Study

The California Department of Health Services (CDHS) conducted a study of 794 water vending machines in 37 counties and found that 20 percent of the samples had an HPC of greater than 500 CFUs/mL.

The CDHS concluded that additional regulatory, requirements for vended water were unnecessary, but that identified quality control areas deserved more attention.

Bacteria On Water Vending Machines

Water Vending Machines that dispense drinking water have become popular among Recreational Vehicle Owners who distrust RV Tap Water Quality. However, a recent University of Arizona study found bacteria in close to one out of four supermarket machines tested.

The researchers found bacteria like e-coli in the machines, and say the water was probably pure before it reached the machine nozzle. Even if the water is clean when it comes out of the nozzle, some buyers defeat the purpose by carrying it home in bacteria-laden containers.

Water Vending Machines Purification Process

Many Water Purification Vending machines use filtered city water or Reverse Osmosis to purify their water.

Protect yourself. Find out how the water in the vending machine you are going to use is processed. Read the information on the vending machines and if it does not clearly say how the water is processed. Play it safe - find another water vending machine that tells you how the water is processed.

Water Vending Machine Regulations

State and local authorities are supposed to regulate water vending machines. But researchers in Arizona say that it really boils down to "buyer beware."

Most Water vending Machines probably have safe drinking water, but some do not. Remember, there are few rules or regulations that govern what you will be getting.  Many state they are connected to an approved local, state or federal water system.

Protection Of Water Vending Machines

Protect yourself from invisible threats by asking and being aware of:

Where the machine is located.

- Is it in a store where it can be observed by staff

- Is it outside and exposed to sun and other elements

- Is it in a safe location away from playing children and pets

- How often is the machine used? If seldom, bacteria could be waiting for an unsuspecting customer

- When was the last time the filters or Reverse Osmosis membrane was replaced?

A water machine is like most pieces of equipment. They should be serviced and maintained on a regular basis. If not, it is not likely to be working at peak efficiency and you might not be getting what you are paying for.

Testing Water Vending Machines

A Total Dissolved Solids Meter (TDS) is one way to check the amount of Impurities In The Water. It is a simple first line of defense. Water from properly operating Water Vending Machines should have less than 50 parts per million of Total Dissolved Solids.