FAQs about our water dispenser
We have answered the most common questions that we are asked regularly here in the FAQs. Click your way through all questions and answers about water dispensers and drinking fountains. If your concern is still not sufficiently clarified afterwards, simply get in touch with us - we will be happy to answer!
Helpful information on funding opportunities and hygiene of piped drinking water dispensers can also be found here.
Interesting facts about drinking water wells
A drinking fountain is a device that is used in public areas to provide drinking water free of charge and in an environmentally friendly way. Another outdated term for this water dispenser is also a drinking fountain. The way it works is very simple: The drinking fountain is connected to a water source, which is usually a public water connection or network connection of the operator. As with indoor water dispensers, drinking water fountains do not have a cooling mechanism that cools the water down. These systems also do not filter the water through, for example, activated carbon filters, as is usually the case with indoor water dispensers. Drinking water wells work without electricity and are very environmentally friendly. They are usually very hygienic because the water comes directly from the main water pipe and is not temporarily stored in containers (gallons or bottles). This reduces the likelihood of, for example, bisphenol in drinking water — which has been shown to be carcinogenic and contained in plastic bottles. A public drinking fountain has many benefits, both for the environment and for health. By using the system, you can avoid buying plastic bottles and thus actively contribute to reducing waste and a healthier lifestyle. Overall, a drinking fountain is a practical and hygienic way to provide access to fresh and clean drinking water at any time. Thanks to its simple operation and its many benefits, the drinking fountain is a good investment for any city that values a healthy and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
A drinking fountain is a water dispenser that is suitable for outdoor use. It can often be found in public parks or on hiking trails. A drinking fountain is usually a simple device that is connected directly to a water pipe. The water flows out of a drinking faucet or bottle filler at the push of a button. The advantage of a drinking fountain is that you have water available at any time and free of charge. A drinking fountain is connected to a water connection and has no built-in cooler, water filter and also does not have a carbonation function for sparkling water (CO2). Most drinking water fountains are only equipped with a tap for direct drinking, which makes it possible to drink water directly from an arc-shaped stream of water that flows out of the drinking faucet at the push of a button. You can still fill bottles or glasses with such systems - not completely full, as they have to be held diagonally under the drinking faucet, but you can still fill a good sip with them. A water dispenser is a device that can be found in public buildings or outdoors. They come in various sizes and shapes. For example, some are attached to walls barrier-free, while others stand on a pedestal. They are usually designed in such a way that they can be used by many people without contaminating bacteria. Some water dispensers are equipped with a filter that removes pollutants or impurities from the water. In rare cases, you can find water dispensers with carbonization function, i.e. with sparkling water, in public areas. The reason for this is the high maintenance costs associated with high costs. So the main difference is that drinking water fountains are outside and water dispensers are inside.
Environmental friendliness has become an increasingly important issue these days. It is about protecting our environment while meeting our everyday needs. One example of this is the drinking water fountain, also known as drinking fountain. A drinking fountain is an environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative to single-use plastic bottles. It is also more practical, as you don't have to carry around a heavy bottle every time, but can simply use the drinking fountain. A drinking fountain is a great way to trade in an environmentally friendly and inexpensive way. There are many different models on the market, which differ in their quality and design. At Aquadona, we have the highest quality drinking water fountains, from the world's leading manufacturers with many decades of experience in the field. So if a city would like to encourage citizens to refrain from using single-use plastic bottles, then it should definitely buy a drinking fountain.
A drinking fountain or drinking fountain is a useful device that can be found in many outdoor public places. It is a great facility for people who need access to fresh and clean drinking water at all times. But how does a drinking fountain actually work? A drinking fountain is basically a device that dispenses water from a water pipe unfiltered, uncooled. To be more specific, there are two types of drinking water wells. The first type is the so-called discontinuous drinking water well, which dispenses the water at the push of a button. The second type is the continuous drinking fountain , which delivers the water permanently without the user's intervention - as if there was no tomorrow. On behalf of the then politician Bettina Jarasch, Berliner Wasserbetriebe (BWB) installed these devices in Berlin in an anti-competitive manner and contrary to their own policy of “saving water wherever possible.” These overpriced facilities live up to their name (Kaiserbrunnen) and do not comply with legal requirements. BWB was therefore successfully sued by Aquadona GmbH in spring 2023 for a sum of tens of millions. The process begins with the BWB having to explain why, on the one hand, they have been holding hands on government funding worth millions of euros for years and, on the other hand, without absolutely necessary tenders, buying drinking water fountains and installing them in almost deserted places in Berlin. Apart from that, the drinking water fountain is an easy-to-use and very practical device that makes the lives of people who need drinking water on the go easier. Whether in public buildings or outdoors, a drinking fountain is a convenient and efficient way to have clean and healthy drinking water available at all times
Water is a vital element that we need every day. It is recommended to drink at least two liters of water a day to keep the body hydrated. An outdoor drinking fountain can be very helpful. A major advantage of a drinking fountain is that it will be found all over Germany in the future - that is the aim of the EU Drinking Water Directive and the Water Resources Act of 12.01.2023. “In future, all citizens in public spaces should be given access to high-quality drinking water,” it says literally. He continues: “Where technically feasible and meets local demand, municipalities should set up drinking fountain, for example in parks, pedestrian zones and shopping malls.” This not only saves money, but also protects the environment, as you no longer use as many plastic bottles. With a piped drinking fountain, fresh water will be available in the future, which is often even more hygienic than unfiltered water from the tap, because an activated carbon filter can optionally be interposed in such a system, which filters pollutants such as drug residues, pesticides and heavy metals from the water. In summary, it can be said that a drinking fountain has many advantages. It always delivers fresh water, saves money and protects the environment. In addition, the water from a drinking fountain is often more hygienic than that from the tap. So if a mayor is concerned about the health of his voters and wants to care for the environment, he should consider buying a drinking fountain .
A drinking water dispenser and a drinking fountain are two different ways to access fresh and clean water at any time. But how do these two systems actually work? A drinking water dispenser is a device that combines water filters and usually cooling technology to deliver fresh and clean water. The water is passed through a filter, which removes impurities and pollutants. The water is then cooled and collected in a container or delivered directly to the user. This optional container can either have a built-in tap or a button to trigger it. The system is very convenient because it requires no bottles and provides fresh and cold water at any time. It is therefore an environmentally friendly and hygienic alternative to bottled water. A drinking fountain , on the other hand, is a system that draws water from a natural source. In the case of a drinking water well, the water is delivered from a water pipe directly to the user via a drinking faucet or a bottle filler. The water therefore does not flow via a cooling system and through a filter, but directly from the waterworks to the user. A drinking fountain is a very natural way to get fresh water. The water is not only clean but also rich in minerals. In contrast to the drinking water dispenser, however, there is no integrated cooling or filter system to treat the water. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. A drinking water dispenser is very practical and hygienic, but the water is often poorer in minerals. A drinking fountain is a natural source of minerals, but it is not always convenient to get to a well. Although these systems have been required by law since 12.01.2023, they have not yet been installed in all German cities. Overall, drinking water dispensers and drinking fountain are both very good options for getting fresh water at any time. They differ in how they work and their advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends on the availability and priorities of cities where they invest their budget.
A drinking fountain is a practical tool to have fresh water available outdoors at any time. But where can it be used? A drinking fountain is a device that is connected to a water connection and can be found in publicly accessible areas such as parks or market places. There are also drinking fountains that can filter the water, but this involves increased maintenance, which is therefore associated with increased costs. It is usually very easy to operate the drinking fountain by either pressing a button or placing a bottle in a dispensing area and then pressing it down to activate the water jet. Drinking fountains are used in various areas. For example, they can be set up in pedestrian zones, sports fields, schools or other public institutions to meet the demand for fresh drinking water. However, the choice of location for a drinking fountain is not arbitrary. In principle, the drinking fountain should always be placed near a water connection in order to establish the connection and keep construction costs low. It is also important that the device is barrier-free and can also be easily operated by children and people with disabilities. In addition, there are a number of legal regulations that must be observed when using drinking fountains. For example, the local health department requires a regular hygienic test and the water-bearing parts of the drinking fountain may only consist of materials that are approved for the food industry. Overall, a drinking fountain with a fixed connection is a practical and hygienic way to have fresh drinking water available at any time. However, when using it, attention should be paid to the location and legal regulations to ensure hygienic and safe drinking water.
A drinking fountain is a great way to provide public fresh water free of charge in accordance with the new legislation of 12.01.2023. But how does a drinking water well actually work and what is there to consider? First of all, it should be said that there are different types of drinking water wells. The simplest variant is the manual drinking water fountain, in which you fill the water into a bottle by pressing a button or pressing down a mechanical plate or drink it directly. This type of drinking water fountain is particularly practical and durable because the mechanical triggering of the water jet requires no electrical technology and is therefore more susceptible to faults. In addition, no electricity is required for such a self-closing push-button valve, which saves energy and therefore costs and actively protects the environment. Furthermore, such push-button operated drinking water fountains at Aquadona are cheaper than, for example, sensor-controlled drinking fountains. There are also so-called automatic water dispensers, in which the water is automatically dispensed by sensors. These types of drinking water wells are particularly suitable for public areas such as schools or shopping centers, which are at least partially supervised. The advantage of a sensor-controlled drinking water well is that water can be dispensed contactlessly without contact and thus the possible contamination and transfer of bacteria, for example, can be reduced. Regardless of the type of water dispenser, however, you should always make sure that the drinking water fountain is actually vandal-proof. The quality of the material and the powder-coated surface of the system play a decisive role here. Rust-proof stainless steel of around 1.8 mm makes vandalism difficult and ensures that the drinking fountain will last for many years if properly maintained. An optional powder coating in the desired color is not only an eye-catcher, but also serves a useful purpose. Thanks to a scratch-resistant powder coating that is resistant to fading caused by sun rays, the device is easier to clean, is more susceptible to dirt and calcium deposits from hard water and makes it difficult for graffiti to stick to the material. To ensure that the water remains clean and hygienic, the drinking water well should have an automatic, battery-operated hygienic flushing system with, for example, a magnetic valve. This ensures that stagnant water is avoided, which naturally occurs when the drinking fountain is used irregularly. An optional filter can also be installed as an option for outdoor drinking wells. However, this should be replaced earlier every 3 months during heavy use to avoid contamination. In summary, a drinking water well is a practical way to provide drinking water in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way. But in order to really benefit from the many advantages, you should ensure that the drinking fountain is of good quality and regular maintenance. This means that nothing stands in the way of sustainable consumption of fresh and clean water.
A drinking fountain or drinking fountain is a practical installation that is increasingly common both in public outdoor areas and indoors. But what requirements must such a device meet in order to meet the requirements for barrier-free construction in accordance with DIN 18040? There are basically two types of drinking water fountains: those that are attached to the wall and those that are placed free-standing. The wall-mounted systems guarantee accessibility by being freely accessible at an individual height, so that tap water can be provided to both people with walking difficulties (in wheelchairs) and smaller children. The free-standing devices, on the other hand, should have a barrier-free, lateral basin in order to also comply with DIN 18040. However, if a pure drinking water dispenser such as the Weser is installed outdoors, then a wheelchair user and small children can easily tap water here too. In general, barrier-free drinking fountain offer many advantages. They are not only a welcome relief for wheelchair users and children, but have also been introduced in most federal states in principle as a so-called technical building regulation. This means that compliance with them is mandatory.
In a drinking fountain that can be operated all year round, a return valve is installed in the ground below the soil frost line, which is approximately 1.5 meters deep. The water flows through this return valve every time the water output at the drinking fountain is activated. When the user has drawn enough drinking water, the water that is still in the inner pipe of the drinking fountain flows out of the pipe into the sewage connection or a flower bed for irrigation, because water is a precious commodity. As a result of the fact that no so-called standing water stagnates in the hoses, it cannot freeze in winter and may cause the pipes to burst due to expansion. A drinking fountain that can be operated all year round is therefore frost-resistant and can also dispense drinking water in winter at sub-zero temperatures without the system being damaged by frost.
The most common questions
A water dispenser for companies costs around 800 EUR up to 18,000 EUR at Aquadona Germany. For a small budget you can get a fixed water dispenser made of relatively robust stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant and gives users pleasure for a long time. A higher budget is required for drinking water fountains and water dispensers for outdoor use, as a thick-walled construction and vandal-proof components are important here. Water dispensers in the form of wired countertops or free-standing appliances for the office can confidently be made of plastic and cost between 1,000 and 2,000 euros for us.
The maintenence of a water dispenser or drinking fountain depends on its location and according legal requirements. For indoor water dispenser there are in Germany for example completely different legal requirements contrary to outdoor drinking fountains. Also: If the drinking fountain is made of stainless steel and placed indoors, it only needs to be cleaned from the outside. No internal desinfection needed. A damp microfiber cloth, for example, is sufficient for this purpose. Stainless steel cleaner can also be used occasionally. In the case of outdoor drinking wells on the water pipe that are not protected by a roof, care must be taken to ensure a pure drinking faucet and a free drain. These can be clogged by leaves or sand and soil. Attention should also be paid to bird droppings. Normal contaminants in the runoff caused by sand, soil or leaves can usually be washed away with a few liters of water. Vogel-Aa should be removed thoroughly with disinfectant and then plenty of water.
The local health department sets the maintenance interval for a pedestal fountain in Germany. The definition is based, for example, on what kind of local environment the installation site is. Quieter places with little risk of vandalism may be recommended other maintenance intervals than, for example, Alexanderplatz in Berlin. From a technical point of view, the piped drinking water well is maintenance-free. However, this rule is only valid if the device does not have a water filter or UV lamp and no hot water, sparkling water (CO2) or cooled water is dispensed. These options require filters to be replaced at reasonable intervals. It is recommended to change the filter and disinfect the bottled water dispenser every 6 months. This is based on parts of the Drinking Water Ordinance §17. For piped water dispensers and drinking fountains with, for example, a carbon filter/carbon filter, we recommend that you comply with DIN 6650 for dispensing equipment cleaning. It is up to the operator to decide whether to clean or disinfect the water dispenser after 90 or 180 days. Maintenance could then include alkaline, i.e. chemical, cleaning and a filter change. However, this must be considered at the discretion of the dispensing system operator and local regulations.
It usually takes 2 — 12 weeks from planning to finalizing a drinking fountain or water dispenser project. Depending on the effort involved, it can be faster or take longer. If a simple, wall-mounted drinking fountain is required, it is immediately ready for use after delivery and installation. If a stationary model is to be set up, the installation usually takes a few days longer. Expect that we may not always have every special drinking fountain in your desired color or with the desired additional equipment. Accordingly, delivery can sometimes take longer. With custom-made products, it can even take several months to install your wired water dispenser.
In Germany the health department is responsible for monitoring drinking water quality in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance. Depending on the region, health authorities are very pleased to have fixed water dispensers. One reason for this is that public drinking fountains must not cause any damage to the population through contamination and are therefore subject to regular correspondence with the health department.
DVGW certification/DVGW certificate: The national DVGW and DIN-DVGW certifications (German Gas and Water Association) are certificates that can be purchased voluntarily by manufacturers. This means that they are not required by law. The DVGW certificate is proof of presumption (according to the DVWG website) of compliance with the recognized rules of the specific technology. Here are the facts: §17 of the Drinking Water Regulations is, so to speak, the “Bible” for the DVGW. Everything that the DVGW does or certifies is based on the paragraphs. (In addition to various DIN standards) In general, no DVGW certificates are issued to water dispensers. The last certificate was issued in 2011 because it is very complex, expensive and also unnecessary, because water dispensers are normally manufactured abroad and have already been certified there with, for example, the international NSF standard. According to the company, this standard is of higher quality than the German TÜV. Officially, no DVGW certificate is required to install and operate a drinking fountain. However, the manufacturer of a drinking fountain must ensure that no components of the water dispenser are harmful to the user. Why is there a general belief that a water dispenser requires a DVGW certificate? Installers use the certificate to ensure that they do not start up a product that could cause damage to the operator or the user. It is precisely this security that is assumed with a DVGW certificate.
If water remains in the pipes for too long, it is called “standing water” or "stagnating water" and should not be drunk if you have a bad immune system. Piped water dispensers always dispense fresh drinking water, provided that the water is allowed to run for a few seconds before bottling. At unfavorable temperatures in summer, water dispensers that have not been used for a very long time can cause legionella to multiply so much that the threshold that is compatible with humans is exceeded. Diarrhea, among other things, can then be one of the unpleasant consequences. To get ahead of this, we offer automatic hygienic flushing. This automatically cleans the internal water pipe with fresh tap water every 4 hours.
A water dispenser (also known as a drinking water dispenser or drinking fountain) works on the same principle as a sink or a kitchen sink. With a water dispenser connected to the water pipe, the water jet is triggered at the push of a button. In contrast to the sink, the piped drinking fountain has a self-closing shut-off valve. As a result, the water only flows as long as the push button is pressed. However, there are also mechanically modified drinking fountains with a permanent stream of water. These are produced almost exclusively for outdoor use and are therefore called “outdoor drinking fountains”. A fixed water dispenser has the same connections as a standard household sink. It's usually 3/8″. After pressing the push button, water flows directly from the drinking water pipe through thin pipes directly to the drinking faucet or bottle filler. From there, you drink directly from the arc-shaped stream of water. If the water dispenser is equipped with a bottle filler, water can be drawn from bottles or glasses. Tip: If a drinking fountain does not have a bottle filler, hold a container diagonally under the drinking faucet. Then you can also fill 2 GO water without a bottle filler.
The DIRECTIVE (EU) 2020/2184 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of December 16, 2020 contains the following key message in Article 16 for EU countries such as Germany, among others: Water is a human right. Water is a public good, not a commodity! For this reason, universal and equitable access to safe drinking water should be facilitated for all, in particular by installing outdoor and indoor facilities in public places. Encourage the use of tap water by promoting the free provision of water for human consumption in public administrations and public buildings.
The Berlin Senate is apparently also making a big exception when it comes to the antitrust law and the exercise of a monopoly. In Berlin, competition policy is handled differently by the Senate and its subsidiary BWB than is desired for fair competition, or is regulated by the law against unfair competition, in particular by the anti-cartel ban. While BWB is in free competition with manufacturers and suppliers of water dispensers, they were favored by the Berlin Senate between 2018 and 2021 with 8,000,000 euros in funding for the installation of outdoor drinking fountains. This is despite the fact that there are other competitors who could have supplied the drinking water wells required by the Blue Community resolution, at lower prices and even with the required accessibility and year-round ability to use the device. In contrast to the Kaiserbrunnen designed in the 80s, which are neither barrier-free nor available at a child-friendly height and also run permanently on top of that, as if water were an abundance of water today. A clear case of unfair competition, apparently with the aim of compensating for the billions in costs incurred by the buyback of BWB from RWE and VEOLIA in 2013. BWB did not have to participate in tenders for the supply of water dispensers for school catering because, as a subsidiary of the client, the contract was awarded directly to BWB - to the exclusion of free competition. As a result of branched nepotism, BWB was commissioned to supply 600 school water dispensers. It is clear that Berlin politicians have found a direct way to slide from the completed airport scandal to the next scandal. Exploiting a monopoly and building a cartel.
How healthy water dispensers are depends on a few factors. On the one hand, it depends on whether it is a fixed water dispenser with a connection to the water pipe or a gallon water dispenser. With fixed water dispensers, tap water is directed directly from the water pipe through hoses into a container. So you tap fresh water, which is one of the most heavily controlled foods in Germany. With gallon water dispensers, water can be drawn from a gallon bottle. If this gallon bottle has been properly filled, transported and stored, you should also not be able to become ill as a result of its consumption.
How a water dispenser chills is a good question and depends on the system that is intended to cool the water. With the “Direct Chill” option, water is only cooled when the “Cooling” push button is pressed. This means that when activated, water is passed through a so-called metal cooling coil, which in turn is cooled by coolant from the outside. In other devices, water in a cooling tank is permanently cooled down to a previously set temperature. The former saves electricity, the second can impair taste. When a water dispenser is able to chill water then it's called water cooler.
Depending on the location, the installation of a wired drinking fountain/water dispenser for outdoor use costs around 1,000 euros per meter of dug water pipe. This is an approximate guideline as stated by the public water companies in Berlin (BWB).
Almost without exception, drinking water in Germany is of good quality. Tap water in Germany is also the most heavily controlled foodstuff. Lime and chlorine can still interfere or even become unpleasant when drinking tap water. With a carbon filter/carbon filter, you can filter chlorine and lime out of drinking water. Legionella can multiply in combination with high temperatures and prolonged unused water pipes. If legionella is suspected, the drinking fountain must be cleaned alkali/chemically or with hot water steam.
Water dispensers with a fixed connection should be cleaned externally in accordance with hygiene requirements. It depends on where such a device is installed. A fixed water dispenser should be serviced from the inside every 6 months if a water filter or cooling system has been installed. More frequent, external disinfection can't hurt. Half-year maintenance can be carried out, for example, with lye, special disinfectant or with hot water steam in an environmentally friendly manner. As a result, pipes are freed from possible contamination from unfiltered tap water or biofilm produced by stagnant water. The type of internal cleaning depends, for example, on the material of the installed pipes.
The hygiene status of a water cooler depends on its maintenance intervals and the cleanliness of its environment. In principle, water dispensers should be cleaned every 6 months to be considered hygienic. However, if a solid water cooler is exposed to increased stress due to, for example, high outdoor temperatures, it is advisable to clean or disinfect it more often, at least externally. For drinking water wells for public outdoor use, the local health department specifies the maintenance intervals. Drinking fountains with a water connection, without water-refining additives such as sparkling water, hot or cold water, are maintenance-free from a technical point of view. After all, your washbasin drinking faucet at home isn't serviced “as often.”
An activated carbon filter can filter particles, heavy metals, bacteria and chlorine flowing through the water pipe from tap water. In some cases, pollutants such as drug residues, plant protection products and even hormonal substances in groundwater cannot be completely removed by the waterworks. For this reason, an activated carbon filter can be useful when pollutant levels are high and to filter organic and chemical compounds.
An outdoor water dispenser or outdoor water dispenser costs around 2,000 to 18,000 Euro from us. There are also cheaper models that, according to the manufacturer, should be suitable for outdoor use, but we recommend that you pay attention to robust materials and these usually cost a bit more.
DIRECTIVE (EU) 2020/2184 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption contains the following quote in Article 16: “In its communication of 19 March 2014 on the European Citizens' Initiative “Water and Basic Sanitation are a human right! Water is a public good, not a commodity! “the Commission called for Member States to provide all citizens with a minimum access to water supply in accordance with to secure WHO recommendations. She also agreed to continue “through her environmental policy [...] for [to] ensure that the entire population [...] has better access to safe drinking water [...]” This is in In line with Objective 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals and the related target, “ [to] achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” Zur Member States should regulate the quality and availability aspects of access to water as part of Response to the Right2Water initiative and as a contribution to the implementation of Principle 20 of the European Pillar social rights, according to which every person “the right of access to essential services such as water [supply]” has to address the issue of access to water at national level and in doing so a certain have discretion as to the exact nature of the measures to be implemented. This should be done by Measures are being taken to ensure access to water for human consumption for all to improve, in particular by installing outdoor and indoor systems in public places, where this is technically feasible, as well as through measures to promote the use of tap water, by free provision of water for human consumption in public administrations and public buildings or — free of charge or for a small service fee — for restaurant customers, canteens and catering services are promoted.”
Wie häufig und in welchen Zeitabständen Wasserproben entnommen werden müssen, legt grundsätzlich Ihr örtliches Gesundheitsamt fest. Allgemein liegen die Kosten für eine Wasserbeprobung, die vor der Installation des Trinkbrunnens wichtig ist, bei 60,- € bis 150,- €.
Interesting facts about funding for drinking fountains
Depending on the agreement in the sponsorship contract, sponsorship can be permanent or one-time, lasting 1 or 5 years. If, for example, a drinking fountain with a stainless steel badge with the sponsor's name and logo is affixed to the fixed water dispenser, the sponsorship project is unique, but with a permanently visible character.
The easiest way to find sponsors is through his good network of contacts and some enthusiasm for the drinking fountain project. If you don't have either, ask your local savings bank or water supplier first. Ask for funding and present your project there. Offer rewards, such as an inauguration party with press and sponsorship ceremony. Alternatively, contact regional companies, or those who would benefit from some corporate social responsibility. Sponsors love tidy and clear sponsorship portfolios that show the expected advertising success. Therefore, write down all possible benefits that could be of interest to your sponsor. Keep in mind that sponsors want something in return for the amount of money they provide, otherwise it would be a donation, as there is nothing in return for donations. So appeal something to the sponsor's self-interest. What does he get out of sponsoring your project? A more social image, less tax burden, cost-effective advertising or even more customers? Time and again, we hear how time-consuming the search for sponsors is.
For example, a stainless steel badge or engraving on the drinking fountain is possible. The logo or name of the sponsor can also be immortalized in the soil of the drinking water dispenser. Additional agreements, such as linking to your website or the right of the sponsor to advertise the sponsorship provided, e.g. in newspaper articles, are the most common sponsorship options. However, a small inauguration is often enough — especially for small amounts of money under 2,000 euros.
In the case of sponsorship, the sponsor covers at least the pro rata costs of the drinking fountain and the installation. By assuming the costs, the sponsor acquires the right to advertise with his company name as an official sponsor of the funded institution. However, this is the subject of the contract that you should conclude with your sponsor.
Things worth knowing about bottled water systems
A water dispenser is a device connected directly to the water pipe for dispensing water. Water can be filled into vessels at the push of a button or contactlessly using a proximity sensor or foot pedal. If a water dispenser dispenses chilled, hot, filtered or carbonated (CO2) water, it is referred to as a bottled water system. As a rule, water dispensers for outdoor use without any additional options such as carbon filters to filter lime and chlorine are referred to as drinking water fountains or drinking fountains.
In any case, you need a tap water connection, possibly a sewage connection and possibly a power connection if you opt for chilled water or hot water. Some of our Canaletas and Borg and Overström water dispensers come with a drip tray or even a waste water tank.
In principle, carbonic acid bottles can be ordered from a local supplier. This often offers a delivery service or even an exchange service. Pay attention to the maximum dimensions of the CO2 bottle that fits into your bottled water system. Basically, there are adapters (M11 x 1) that allow the use of both disposable bottles and reusable bottles. According to our experience, Unterbichler is a reliable CO2 supplier.
Bottled water systems are not as maintenance-free as ordinary drinking bunns. If a water filter is installed, the filter must be replaced after 12 months at the latest, depending on its water purification capacity. The recommended interval between cleaning intervals (cleaning and disinfection of the entire device), which is safe for the operator, is 3 to 12 months and must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Things to know about buying water dispensers
You agree to order a certain quantity of drinking fountains or water dispensers from Aquadona over a period of time and receive a discount in return. Example: A company undertakes to order 30 water dispensers within 3 years and receives a discount of 11% in return.
The NSF/ANSI 61 certificate is the standard for the production of drinking water dispensers manufactured abroad. Drinking water system components that are NSF certified are used to ensure that no harmful contaminants enter the drinking water. NSF/ANSI 61 is an American, national standard that relates to water treatment. According to the NSF website, they are subject to strict requirements and controls from, for example, water dispensers and drinking fountains that come into contact with water. The NSF standard confirms that the systems awarded with it are made from safe materials and therefore no harmful substances are released into drinking water.
With Aquadona, payment is possible on account, by credit card, PayPal or by prepayment. If you pay in advance, you pay the total amount before the delivery is shipped.
Sponsors such as waterworks, banks or regional companies often offer funding for drinking fountains in Germany. This often goes hand in hand with a public drinking fountain opening and with the usual sponsorship features, such as advertising rights for the sponsor. It looks different when someone donates a drinking fountain to you, because a donation is always unselfish and nothing in return is allowed. If necessary, only a donation receipt will be issued by the recipient of the donation, provided that the recipient institution is recognized in its charitable status by the tax office. A donation is of interest to the sponsor because it is considered a special issue upon presentation of a donation receipt and is tax deductible. For the beneficiary, the donation is tax-exempt if it benefits a charitable cause. Therefore, no taxes may be collected from the tax office on receipt of it.