New water cooler counters MRSA

Aqua Planet has launched the 509, a new drinking-water cooler that automatically sanitises the tap area of the cooler every time a drink is taken.

It is normal for coolers to be placed in positions of convenience, normally not close to washing facilities, meaning that users could transmit bacteria or viruses to the taps of the cooler. To counter this, the 509 has a door to protect the taps, dispense heads and drip tray. The door is opened, a drink is taken, and then the door is closed. Once closed, an ionizer is activated inside the cooler that will kill any germs left by the previous user. An additional advantage of this system is that it will help to reduce cross-contamination of bacteria and viruses such as MRSA, salmonella, staphylococcus and e-coli 0157. The 509 uses the standard large water bottles supplied by most water cooler companies and will be available as a plumbed-in point-of-use cooler with its own filtration system.