Importance of Sanitization

Regular sanitization is crucial to water quality and safety.  Maintaining water quality in a point-of-use (POU) cooler requires regular sanitization of the inside of the cooler, in addition to proper filtration.

Water reservoirs in coolers are fertile breeding grounds for bacteria, which leads to biofilm.  This slimy layer adheres to surfaces that store water. Biofilm allows for the continued growth of bacteria by forming protective layers that greatly increases the resistance of the organisms to chemical disinfectants and sanitizers.

While the U.S. has no established standards for the frequency and method of sanitizing POU coolers, Europe has regulations that require sanitization of POU coolers every three months.

Beyond Filter Changes
Proper maintenance and care of filtered water coolers goes beyond regular filter changes.  These coolers also need regular sanitizing to provide consistent, high-quality drinking water.

A variety of methods are available to sanitize POU coolers. These methods may be structured to work either manually or automatically, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

While each method, done properly, provides effective sanitization, the methods are not equivalent in terms of cost, resources, and effects on drinking water taste.

Common Methods
The most common methods of sanitizing a POU cooler involve the use of:

1. Disinfecting UV light
2. Ozone
3. Chemical sanitizers (chlorine bleach and hyrdrogen peroxide)

Consistency is The Key
Whether you use an automatic or manual method for sanitizing filtered coolers, the process must be followed on a consistent basis.

When completed properly, each of the above methods is effective in reducing bacteria and inhibiting the growth of biofilm.

Automatic sanitization methods are more likely to be effective in the long term when they are subject to proper maintenance and care. Manual sanitizing methods will only be effective when completed properly and on a consistent basis.